How to Build a Simple Potting Bench

Make your own simple potting bench -- your back will thank you!

Potting benches are designed to take the backache out of potting plants. They allow gardeners to work with their plants standing up, rather than bending over or kneeling on the ground filling their pots with soil. Generally, potting benches are similar in construction to a table, with a hole in the top to set the potting soil bucket in, so that it is easily accessible. Making your own simple potting bench is relatively easy if you have basic woodworking know-how.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood, 3/4-inch
• Saw
• Potting bucket
• Lumber, 2-by-4 inch
• Lumber, 1-by-2 inch
• Rabbet plane
• Wood screws, 2-inch
• Drill
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• Wood screws, 3-inch
• Varnish
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut plywood into a rectangle measuring 21 by 39 inches for the top of the potting bench and a rectangle measuring 24 by 42 inches for the shelf of the potting bench.

2. Place the potting bucket upside down on one half of the potting bench top and trace around its edges. Take the potting bucket off, then move an inch inside the traced line and draw a second line mimicking the shape of the potting bucket outline. Cut the shape out using the second line, so that when the potting bucket is place inside, it sits slightly higher than the rim.

3. Cut 2-by-4 boards into four legs 36 inches long, two lengths measuring 42 inches and two lengths of 20 inches. Cut 1-by-2 lumber into two cleats for the shelf measuring 24 inches.

4. Plane a rabbet edge 3/4 inch deep and 1/2 inch wide into one side of each of the 42- and 20-inch 2-by-4s. Assemble the 42- and 20-inch pieces of 2-by-4 into a rectangular frame, rabbet edges on the inside and 20-inch planks abutting the ends of the 42-inch planks, forming the corners. The frame measures 24 by 42 inches once assembled.

5. Drive two wood screws through each of the corner joints of the planks to secure the frame. Place the top piece of plywood (with the potting bucket hole) into the frame, resting on the rabbet edges. Because the rabbet grooves are the depth of the plywood thickness, and 1/2 inch wide, the plywood top will sit snugly into, and flush with, the frame. Attach the plywood with finishing nails through the top of the plywood into the rabbet edge every 2 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

6. Turn the frame upside down, plywood side down on the work surface. Position the legs upright on the outside of each end of the shorter sides of the frame. The ends of the legs should be flush with the work surface and the outer edge of the legs flush with the side of the frame. Drive four 3-inch wood screws through each leg into the frame to attach them. Invert the frame so that the unit stands on the legs.

7. Measure up the legs 10 inches and place the cleats across each pair of legs at this point. Attach them with two 2-inch wood screws into each leg. Place the shelf piece of plywood on top of the cleats and secure with finishing nails through the top of the shelf into the cleats. Varnish the potting bench to finish.

Tips & Warnings

• Add screw hooks between the legs on the sides of the frame for hanging gardening tools.

• Add wheels to the ends of the legs to increase the portability of the potting bench.

References

• Family Handyman: How To Build A Cedar Potting Bench
• Danny Lipford: How To Build A Portable Potting Bench