No matter how you slice it, if you are a gardener, you need a place to do your dirty work. In this case, a potting bench is what gardeners call these things. They are basically work stations where you can get your plants transplanted or potted and then move them onto your patio or garden area. You can store extra pots and even some small tools and soil on it. Really, you can store and use whatever you want on them, but you’ll want to keep it organized.
This is where the shelving comes in handy. With more than one surface on which to place objects, you can have access to it all within easy reach. In fact, with a planting bench that uses some sort of screen for a ‘backsplash’ area, you can use hooks to hang various tools on. You can also hang smaller chimes or other objects that will look or sound nice in your outdoor space. Depending upon where your bench is, you might find that a prism will allow those little rainbows to spread across your workspace.
Don’t get too hung-up on the appearance of your working bench. While we do advocate using quality materials and woods here at Patio Covers Place, we also appreciate the use of recycled or re-purposed objects. Recently, we came across a photo of someone’s potting bench that was made from an old dresser and had an old window removed from some home placed beneath the upper shelf. This made for a great statement and also allows access behind the bench if need be. It is a wonderful way to save resources and utilize an object that would otherwise have been thrown out.
For simple potting bench plans, the internet is your place to scour for styles and ideas. You can order one and just assemble it yourself as well. Good potting benches will last for years. If you plan on building one yourself from the plans or from your own design, there are a few things to consider. You can build one that takes advantage of the fact that dirt and soil will get into the slats. This might look like a more rigid frame and support members with removable table top slats for cleaning. This way, you can also keep your area free from debris and getting clogged up by too much dirt. Your potting bench should be, above all else, a convenient way for you to get your green thumb on.