The Garden Potting Bench

 

How to build the best potting bench?  The most important element is height.  When six and a half foot Kenny built my garden bench--the counter top landed at armpit level.  Not easy when hoisting heavy pots.  Nothing a good saw and a couple patio blocks couldn't fix.

Wear gardening shoes when measuring up.  The bench should hit four to six inches below the waist to accomodate added container height.  Imagine placing an empty pot on a tabletop.  That's the level at which your arms will be working.  Lower benches are easier on shoulders and backs. 

Precut benches are available at the touch of a keyboard, but can be fragile and the lumber often lasts only a few seasons.  They're "one size fits all gardeners."  Reinforcing premades with extra braces and coating with exterior stain or polyurethane extends the life of the bench. 

Ten winters!

Wolmanized lumber is the optimal material for do it yourselfers.  After a winter season the wood fades to the color of warm rye toast. 

For the countertop, leave half inch gaps so soil does not accumulate in the breaks.  Add a shelf below for storage of flats pending their relocation to pots and beds.

At the side, include a storage bucket for long handled forks and spades.  Drill holes for drainage. 

When friends visit, brush off the top and break out the ice bucket.  Voila, an outdoor bar!

Just don't get potted.

More Articles of Interest:

Container Gardens -- Pots on the Spot

Four O'Clocks and Hollyhocks

Gardeners of the Court -- The Cycle of Life in the Garden

The Garden Potting Shed

Okay, it's a girl cave.  Rakes rather than recliners.  No big screen television, but a recycled CD player shaped like a VW Beetle provides musical ambience.  How about a mini fridge and a ceiling fan?  It can get hot out there!

The beauty of a potting shed, particularly in a green world--is that what's out is in.  The proper Feng Shui involves a bit of forbidden tchotchke.  A table salvaged from the curbside, and heavy iron tools unearthed at an estate sale are prized posesssions, happily displayed. 

A potting shed need not be elaborate, in fact, the tree house can be converted after the youngest leaves for college. 


Top priorities for potting shed construction?

1.  Wall tool storage.  Wall mounted wooden dowel pegs extending eight inches and spaced apart in varying distances are highly efficient.  Modern metal premade wall hangers are also available.

2.  Counter space.  There's never enough.  Tender flats can be temporarily located on this space to avoid the frost.  Gardeners always have full hands and clear open counter space is premium.  Wooden countertops are inexpensive and easily brushed clean of stray soil. 

3.  Open shelving:  Open shelves allow for easy access to tools, pots, and garden food.  Equipment tucked cupboard doors are often forgotten.  Shelves can be located anywhere, above doors, windows, below counters.

4.  The wish list: 

• Easy access to a water source to avoid lugging.  Most projects require H2O.   
• If water access is impractical, install gutters and attach to a rain barrel.
• Windowboxes -- of course!
• A garden cart and room to store it.  Mine fit under a work table.
• Exterior cupboards for off season container storage.  Install latches to keep out critters.
• Compost bin nearby.
• Skylights for natural illumination.

Maybe it's merely converting a corner of the garage, or adding a potting bench under the eaves.

Perhaps the pergola was a bit over the top, but it certainly was lovely!

Sumptuos or simple, every gardener needs some space--every girl needs a cave.

More Articles of Interest:

 

Landscape Art or Garden Tchotchke?

 

Gnomes Get Kids Gardening

 

Windowboxes -- No Pane, No Gain!