I bought two of these planters to replace the many pots of herbs on my south-facing deck. They were easy to assemble. The first one took two hours the second one took a half hour. It’s all about the learning curve. I plan to line them with landscaping fabric, then add about two inches of packing peanuts, then another layer of fabric topped by potting soil mixed with vermiculite. I will be able to grow many more herbs in the same place!  I might stain the planters to match my deck and railing wood.