So we were a bit intimated by the amount of pieces. But once the frame was together. Which are just metal pieces that interlock into each other. Which were put together using a rubber mallet the planks slide inside the frame. The planks look like wood but feel like plastic resin which will hold up nicely outside. I did not purchase this container for the self watering option. Thought we would give it a try but the the directions and amount of pieces to set up just didn’t feel worth it. So we drilled some holes in the plastic inserts for proper drainage and planted directly inside.