Design a Functional Potting Bench

Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin on Unsplash

If you're like most homeowners who enjoy cultivating an attractive yard and garden space and perhaps even providing some tasty treats for the family table, you probably appreciate tools and amenities designed to make your gardening chores easier and more enjoyable. Many home gardeners make do with whatever available surfaces that happen to be on hand when it comes to potting plants, creating hanging baskets or starting seed trays. As you may already know, this is inconvenient, messy and can even be uncomfortable if you're working on surfaces that are too low or too high. 

However, it doesn't have to be that way. With a hammer, some lumber and nails, you can craft a sturdy, functional and attractive potting bench over the course of a weekend. Here's what you need to know:

Decide on the Proper Height

The most important thing about constructing a potting bench is determining the right height. Most people find themselves most comfortable when the work surface is level with the middle of their waist. This way, you won't have to stoop or reach.

Decide on the Right Location

The next step is to decide where you want to locate your potting bench. If you've got a big garden shed, you might want to place it inside. Another option is to have a standalone potting bench outside the shed, but with this alternative, you run the risk of being rained out when doing potting chores. You can circumvent this by placing it along the side of your home exterior under an awning. You can also give yourself the best of both worlds and build your potting shed on wheels so that you can take it in and out of the shed as weather permits.

If you do decide to place your potting shed in a stationary outdoor location, be sure to find a level spot. If possible, install a slab of concrete to place the bench on -- this will make any necessary cleanup go much more quickly.

Decide What Features You Want Your Potting Bench to Have

Basic potting benches generally feature a three-tier structure. The top functions as a work surface while the middle and bottom tiers hold supplies such as potting soil, seed trays and tools. If you want something more elaborate, consider adding a pull-out drawer, a sink and possibly a seed-starting bed with bottom heat. If you go this route, you'll need to place your bench near an electrical outlet. 

After you find the right customizable plan for your potting bench, you should be able to put it together within a day or two. After you get it build, you'll undoubtedly find yourself wondering how you managed without it.