Handcrafted in Atlanta
Your garden, considered.
Western red cedar planters, built by hand in my Atlanta workshop. Designed to age as beautifully as your garden.
Built to order. Delivered by hand.
Hand-Built in My Atlanta Workshop
Untreated Western Red Cedar
Naturally rot and pest resistant
Fitted and Ready to Plant
Drainage, lining, and tung oil included
$25 Local Delivery
Within 50 miles of Atlanta
“I love the color that Esme's cedar boxes bring to my backyard sitting area. I sit out here all the time now — flowers and butterflies and bees are always visitors.”
— Teresa
The Collection
Three designs, one standard of craftsmanship. Every piece is built with 5/4 Western red cedar, treated with food-safe tung oil, and pre-lined with fitted landscape fabric. Built by a gardener, for gardeners who know the difference.
Cedar for a reason
The wood of choice for serious gardeners and thoughtful outdoor spaces.
Enduring by Nature
Western red cedar lasts 15–30 years outdoors without the use of copper or arsenic based preservatives. Naturally occurring oils in the wood keep pests and rot at bay.
Safe for Food
Herbs and vegetables grow safely directly in cedar. Unlike pressure-treated wood, cedar is completely risk-free for toxin contamination. The go-to material for organic growers.
Graceful Maintenance
Cedar's natural oils repel insects, resist rot, and prevent mildew without a single drop of chemical treatment. A seasonal coat of tung oil extends the life of your planter and is deeply satisfying to apply.
Built for Your Plants
Cedar insulates roots from heat and frost, regulates moisture so you water less, and lets roots breathe through the wood. Your plants will feel the difference.
Built by hand. Grown with purpose.
I studied organic farming in Sweden before spending six years in custom carpentry across Atlanta. When I started Esme Made This, I wanted to focus what I'm good at -- building with my hands -- into something that brings real good into people's lives.
Every planter is built from 5/4 Western red cedar, a wood that naturally resists rot, insects, and mildew without a drop of chemical treatment. Every box is built with drainage slats, pretreated with tung oil for extra durability, and pre-lined with landscape fabric to keep the soil where it belongs. High-quality design built by a cabinetmaker with no mass-manufactured shortcuts. Raw cedar that still smells like the forest when it arrives at your door.
The world is moving fast and gardening is an antidepressant. Nobody starts by growing everything at once. Start with some herbs, maybe a few perennials. Next year, try tomatoes. The year after that, peppers. One planter is the first step, and the first step is the one that matters.
Learn to grow
Guides to help you get the most from your planter.
Myth Busting
The Biggest Myth About Planter Boxes (And What to Do Instead)
You've probably been told to put rocks in the bottom of your planter. University research says that's the worst thing you can do.
What to Grow in Atlanta
Best Herbs for Container Gardening in Atlanta
Atlanta's long growing season and warm summers make it one of the best places in the country to grow herbs in containers. Here are the 9 herbs that do best.
Wellness & Lifestyle
The Wellness Benefits of Growing Your Own Herbs
The herbs on your patio aren't just for cooking. Research shows they can reduce stress, improve memory, help you sleep, and save you hundreds of dollars a year.
“I had two boxes made for my wife for Mother's Day last year. She was so happy — it's the first thing she tells everyone about on house tours.”
— Jonathan
Bring the forest home.
Elevate your patio with heirloom-quality cedar.
Built to order. Delivered by hand.
Handcrafted in my Atlanta workshop. Each planter is made with intention and care.
View the Collection