How to Build a Garden Workspace Shelf

A good work surface is important for potting plants.

There are many messy chores associated with gardening. You need an area to trim injured plants, plant seeds and repot growing seedlings. In addition, it's useful to have a place to organize all your gardening tools. Fancy potting benches are available for a price. Often made of cedar, these workspace shelves can be used indoors or outside. If you're willing to work inside, in a garage or basement, you can create a garden workspace shelf from inexpensive materials.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 8-foot boards, 2-by-4 inches
• Saw
• 3/4-inch Melamine board, 24-by-48 inches
• 2-inch screws
• Drill with Phillips bit
• 3/16-inch white perforated pegboard, 24-by-48 inches
• Flat metal washers
• Pegboard hooks

Instructions

1. Cut four 30-inch legs, two 20-inch top braces and two side leg braces from the 2-by-4 inch boards. Cut one additional 3 1/2-foot-long brace to use across the back of the workspace.

2. Attach one 20-inch top brace to two legs with two screws per leg forming an elongated U shape. Position a side leg brace between the two legs, 6 inches from the bottom ends of the legs, and attach the brace with two screws on each side. Repeat for the other pair of legs.

3. Flip the melamine shelf upside down, and place one set of legs on top of the melamine shelf. Position the pair of legs parallel to the 2-foot-long side of the shelf, 6 inches from the edge and centered front to back. Attach the legs to the melamine shelf with four 2-inch screws. Repeat for the other pair legs.

4. Position the 3 1/2-foot-long brace across the back legs 18 inches from the bottom. Attach the brace with two screws per leg. Flip the workspace shelf upright.

5. Align the bottom of the 24-by-48-inch white perforated pegboard with the bottom edge of the back of the melamine shelf so that 23 1/4 inches of the pegboard sits above the work shelf. Thread a washer onto a screw and secure the pegboard to the edge of the melamine board by inserting a screw through a perforation of the pegboard every 4 inches.

6. Add pegboard hooks as needed to hang gloves and tools.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the length of the legs to suit the gardener's height.

• Cut a piece of plastic-coated wire shelving, and set it across a plastic dish washing pan for dirty tasks such as potting up over the pan to contain the loose soil.

• Tie back loose clothing and hair before operating power equipment.

• Wear safety goggles when using power equipment.

Resources

• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations
• State Compensation Insurance Fund: Standing Workstation Guidelines