Donkey Delivers Cartload Of Summer Color

Now that summer’s almost here, it’s time to spruce up the lawn and garden for the warm weather and long days ahead. Here’s a simple, fun and inexpensive project that will add a colorful touch to the yard or patio.

Inspired by popular designs found throughout the Southwest, this donkey cart planter features a cheerful little burro pulling a two-wheeled cart that will hold several pots of flowers or plants. The project measures 41 inches long by 20 inches high by 14 inches wide.

Building the planter is a snap, even for amateur do-it-yourselfers. A reader in Bothell, Wash., sent us a photo of her completed project and wrote, “I feel it turned out pretty well considering I’m a 66-year-old woman who has never used a saw before.”

The project calls for basic tools (jigsaw, hammer, drill and wrench), along with one sheet of exterior plywood, a little hardboard, hardware and stain and paint. Simply trace the pieces onto plywood, saw, sand, assemble and paint.

The Donkey Cart Planter plan, No. 748, is $6.95 and includes full-size traceable patterns for the donkey and cart, step-by-step directions with photos, an assembly diagram, shopping list, cutting schedule and a numbered color chart with painting guidelines.

A package of three animal planter plans, No. C103, is $16.95 and includes the donkey cart planter plus a cow planter and a trio of deer planters. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $3.95. Prices include postage and handling. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery (for first-class mail, add $1 per item up to $3 maximum).

MEMO: To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383 (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.