DIY Planter String Light Posts

To create posts from which to hang some string lights, I purchased 6 8-foot-high pressure-treated 2x4s. I also picked up some large hooks to screw into the top of each post, 6 plastic planters and some quick-setting cement.

My first step was to paint and stain my posts. I had some wood stain left over from another project. I applied this stain to my posts with a foam craft brush. When the stain had dried, I then applied a light white wash that I had made (with paint and water) to the posts.

I used a drill to drill a small hole near the top of each post. I then screwed a hook into the top of each post. (These hooks will hold the string lights.)

Once my posts were complete, I went about adding a post to each planter. I worked on one planter at a time. This project is easier if you have a partner to help you set the posts. I completed this project on my own, so I kept the needed supplies for this part of the project - the posts, the planters, quick setting cement, a hose (water) and some Duck tape, close at hand.

I set each post by placing it in the center of a planter. I then added some quick setting cement so that it filled about 3/4s of each planter. I used a hose to wet the cement and mixed it with a small trowel until it was the right consistency (so that the cement was wet and thick, but not watery). I then used the Duck Tape to tape each post in place.

I let my posts sit overnight so the cement could fully harden. The next day, I stung my string lights. (I used string lights with large Edison style lightbulbs.) I also covered the cement with a thick layer of potting soil.

I planted some mums in each planter. Once I plugged in my string lights (to an outdoor outlet by my back door), my string light project was complete!

For more photos and a complete list of projects I used for this project, check out the string light post on my blog.