TIPS for building Garden Potting Bench

668
9
It’s that time of year when we are dreaming about a garden and having a lovely potting bench for our work space.

What are your tips for DESIGNING AND BUILDING a garden potting bench?



(and if you have building plans, consider selling them through the Craftisian’s PLANS resource)

Toxins Out, Nature In - body/mind/spirit

Yes it getting to be that time of year here. After this weekend the average temperature is forecasted to be above normal and climbing each day. About time to clean the beds up.

Main Street to the Mountains

mine is old and the termites are at work. the one i have has a pull out bin for potting soil which is very handy to have. ill try and post a picture this weekend. probably build a new one this spring.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

As it happens I just built one for my wife a couple of years ago. Rather than add a lot of pix and info here I did a project post.



The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

There are lots of plans on the internet to look at and decide what you want it to look like.
I would make it out of cedar which is rot resistant. If you have a planer you could buy cedar fence boards and plane one side smooth for the top. Frame it with cedar 2X4s and on the bottom of the legs put something that will stop water from wicking into the wood if it sets on soil. Seal it with a clear deck sealer to help it resist water and stains. 
here are some pic's of mine.
so in the middle you can see a wood grate that i pot on. the soil that spills gets collected in the plastic tub under it. on the right side is the soil bin i mentioned. when i make a new one later this year it will pretty much copy this as it's worked very well for me.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Great tips everyone

Love that grate idea 

Toxins Out, Nature In - body/mind/spirit

Things to consider:
  • Water-friendly wood
  • Place for pots, trays etc
  • Place for potting tools 
  • Soil storage
  • Potting bin
  • Water access
  • What it will sit on - stable, keep the “feet” dry so they don’t rot

And? 
What have I missed? 

Toxins Out, Nature In - body/mind/spirit

Sounds like you have it covered to me.

Main Street to the Mountains

im planning on building a new one this year. my current one has worked quit well so i may just copy it completely. the current one is redwood but ill switch to cedar on the new one. id like to use ipe but it would take 4 men to move it-lol.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.