5 Great ideas for creating your own potting bench

Clever cupboard

Whether a flea market find or a clunky old piece from your garage, an old china cabinet or wardrobe can make a great potting bench. Small drawers can be filled with pots, saucers and garden gloves, and large drawers can be filled with potting soil. Hardware hooks added to the sides are a great place to hang small shovels or hand rakes. You should remove any glass panels or mirrors that may be prone to breakage when left outdoors.

Fold-away

Do you have a small shed for storing tools and your lawnmower? A simple sheet of plywood attached to one side of the shed with hinged brackets may be the perfect part-time potting bench. For potting mix storage and hand tools, use either small plastic stacking bins or small garbage cans with lids. The shelf will easily fold out of the way when not in use.

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Take it with you

Sometimes you want to bring the potting implements and soil to where you need them most. You can use large plastic totes with handles that stack out of the way for storage. Carry them over to your vegetable garden or around the corner to your flower beds. One plastic tote might contain soil and fertilizers, another small pots.

Do-it-yourself

Many people enjoy crafting their own potting bench using either new materials or reclaimed wood from pallets or old decking materials. By building your own, you can create exactly the size and height that suits your needs. The wood can be painted to match your outdoor furniture or in a fun shade that pops in your garden area.

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