Materials
Gather these supplies
- Untreated smooth 1× boards or fence-board offcuts
- Exterior screws shorter than joint thickness
- Two narrow bottom cleats
- Food-safe finish, optional and fully cured
Free step-by-step project guide
Build a Small Slatted Harvest Crate
A washable, ventilated carry box for sturdy vegetables, cartons and hand tools.
What you are making
A useful project with a defined stopping point.
Build a lightweight 18-inch crate with rounded handholds and replaceable bottom slats.
- Time
- 2–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Estimated cost
- $8–$30
- Finished size
- 18 × 12 × 8 inches
Tools
Set up the work area
- Tape measure
- Saw or jigsaw
- Drill
- Square
- Clamps
- Sandpaper
Measurements
Mark before cutting
- End panels: 12 × 8 inches
- Side and bottom slats: 18 inches
- Slat gaps: 1/2 inch
- Handholds: 4 inches wide with rounded ends
Build it in order
Step-by-step instructions
Read the entire plan before making the first cut or hole. The check under each step tells you when it is ready to move forward.
- 01
Prepare two end panels
Cut matching ends, mark centered handholds and round their corners with a drill and jigsaw.
- 02
Cut matched slats
Cut side and bottom slats to 18 inches and sand all faces.
- 03
Attach bottom cleats
Fasten a cleat near the lower edge of each end panel to carry the bottom slats.
- 04
Build the bottom
Fasten bottom slats with 1/2-inch gaps for drainage and airflow.
- 05
Add side slats
Attach two or three slats per side, keeping the top edge below the handholds.
- 06
Wash and load-test
Brush clean, rinse if appropriate, dry fully and test with more weight than a normal harvest.
Use and maintenance
Keep it useful
- Use a separate padded basket for loose eggs.
- Dry the crate completely after washing.
- Do not overload it with dense produce or soil.
Safety boundaries
Know when to stop
- Use only clean, untreated wood around produce.
- Never carry a crate with a cracked handle.
- Keep all fastener points fully buried.
Build alongside our family
See the projects and systems behind the ranch.
These written plans give you the order and measurements. Our YouTube videos show the ordinary problem-solving, repairs and family work that inspired this library.
Use the rest of the material
More leftover wood guides
Easy · 45–75 minutesMake Garden Markers from Fence-Picket Scraps
Moderate · 1–2 hoursBuild a Removable Brooder Draft ShieldReused materials and sites vary. Inspect every material, follow the manufacturer’s tool instructions and use appropriate protective equipment. Stop and ask a qualified person when structural loads, electrical work, pressurized plumbing, drinking water, hazardous coatings, animal security or local requirements exceed your experience.