Learn how to DIY a wooden produce storage rack for $10

A few months ago I built a 16 sq foot elevated raised bed for my garden. I figured that I need a space for all those vegetables that I'll grow and I made a farm-style DIY wooden produce storage rack.

The inspiration for this stand was the one I saw at Home goods that cost $89. I figured that I could whip it up for so much cheaper and I was right.

The cost of materials is $10, which definitely beats $89. Leaving me with a spare $79 to spend on what I want 🙂

I wish I said it was an easy project but for some reason,  it's been quite challenging. Everything went wrong from the beginning.

I forgot to use the glue, then everything fell apart. I spent 2 hours staining it.

In the end, it turned out great though! And I'm so happy with it! 

But let's see how I made it and what went wrong.

If you want to make the same one, I have printable PDF plans with a cut list, a list of materials, and step-by-step instructions in my shop. You can also download it below if you subscribe to my newsletter. (No hard feelings if you don't ;D)

Watch me make this stand here

Instructions to make DIY wood produce stand

Step 1 - cut the wood

Cut your wood according to the cut list. My stand is 28 ½" tall, 15" wide, and 11" deep.

Step 2 - attach sides

Make sides of the produce stand by attaching 1x4s to 1x2s. I used a brad nails gun but you can simply use a hammer. 

Here's an important tip that I've learned by doing this part wrong: make sure to use glue with a brad nail gun. I just stapled it with brad nails and when I started assembling it further, it all fell apart. So I had to take the brad nails out and add glue. It wasn't fun and took a lot of time.

Use spacers to make an even space between planks.

Step 3 - cut and attach bottom of the shelves

Cut six 1x4" boards at 13".

Using Kreg jig make pocket holes on both sides of the boards for the shelves. Attach it to one side first and then move on to another.

PIN FOR LATER>>>>>>>>>

Step 4 - attach boards on the back and front

When done with the bottom of each shelf, you can attach planks on the back.

Cut six 1x4"s at 15" and attach it to the back using brad nails and wood glue.

Once done with that, attach 3 remaining planks to the front.

Step 5 - finish as desired

Sand thoroughly and smooth the edges and corners. You can use a hand router for it, but I just used a sander to archive the result. 

Stain it to your liking. I used Dark Walnut stain. It came out a bit darker than I wanted, so I think that Early American stain could've been better. It took me ages for some reason to finish it. Probably because there are so many small parts and you want to get all the parts.

Perhaps, staining your wood before building this  DIY produce storage rack wouldn't be a bad idea. You'd save a lot of time.

Step 6 - Adding rustic signs to the fruit and vegetable storage rack

There are a few ways to add cool signs to the wood. I think I used 3 different ways here.

The probably would look nicer if I used paint for it, but it was too much work and I already spent so much time on this stand that wanted to get over with it as soon as possible ;D I simply used a black sharpie, and to be honest, I love how it turned out and it was completely mess-free.

• I made the bottom sign "locally grown" with stencils and a sharpie. That's the easiest route. Just trace the stencil and get the sign. I got my stencils from Michaels and they did a very fine job.
• To make the sign in the middle ('Quality"), I used an image, taped to the produce stand, and traced the letters with a pencil, pressing hard on the paper. It left a mark on the wood and I painted it over with a sharpie. 

UPDATED 07/07/2020: One of the members of our lovely DIY community suggested transferring signs to wood with carbon paper and I think it's a brilliant idea! Keep it in mind!

If you'd like to make the same one, you can download a printable of the hen and the "Premium Quality Guaranteed" sign below.

• To make the chicken on the top I used the same method - I pressed hard on the pen and traced the outline of the hen. I wanted to use stencils for the "Farmer's market" sign but didn't have the right size font. So I just wrote on it with a pencil, hence the chicken handwriting haha

I think it turned out divine. With the number of mistakes that I've made, this DIY wooden produce storage rack is so dear to my heart. I've learned a lot and planning to make something similar again in the future.

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO:

I was planning to add small casters to the produce storage rack but then realized that my kids would have too much fun driving it around and decided not to use it. But if you would like to have a mobile DIY produce storage, these casters would be perfect for it.

Download printable PDF plans and signs here

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xoxo,

April