Now that spring is here, it’s a good time to start planning a do-it-yourself project for the warm weather to come.

This trio of deer planters is not only a fresh and attractive way to display plants and flowers, but it’s also simple to build and great fun to decorate.

All three planters are built from standard pine or Douglas fir, with wooden balls and buttons for the noses and eyes.

Each is built following the same five basic steps, so once the first is done, the others are especially easy. Simply trace the parts onto wood, saw, sand, assemble and finish. Do-it-yourselfers can build any or all of the three in any combination they wish.

The small deer is pictured holding two 4-by-5-inch trays in a planter section measuring 8 inches long by 5 inches wide by 3 inches deep. The planter sections of the others are 11 inches by 8 inches by 4 inches (for the medium) and 15 inches by 11 inches by 5 inches (for the large).

Overall, the small deer measures 16 inches tall by 14 inches long by 7 inches wide, the medium deer measures 24 inches tall by 22 inches long by 10 inches wide, and the large deer is 32 inches tall by 30 inches long by 13 inches wide.

The Deer Planter Trio plan, No. 745, costs $6.95 and includes step-by-step directions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, an assembly diagram, a shopping list and a cutting schedule.

A package of three animal planter plans, No. C103, is $16.95 and includes this deer trio plus a cow planter and a donkey cart planter. A catalog picturing hundreds of 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. To order by credit card, call (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.