- Author: Ken Williams
After the last two days of wonderful rain I felt the need to play in the soil, however, not to damage the structure of the soil I decided to do some potted plant transplanting. It is so nice to have a good potting bench to work with and I thought I would share mine with you.
After years of using the card table, top of the freezer, or any other available flat surface I decided to build a potting bench. I didn't want to use a bunch of new material so off to the recycle stores, second hand stores, left over items from other projects, and even the old tool bin I went. The potting bench is made of (4) 4x6 pressured treated posts set two feet in the soil with a little concrete for stability, two tall ones on the back and two on the front set at the height that is comfortable for me to work, (nice to be able to plan the height for what is comfortable for you). The work top is framed in with 2x4's, then a layer of concrete board, with a hole cut out for the sink basin to set in. All of the tiles with the exception of the four fish tiles in the front and the brown corner moldings are from junk piles. The sink and faucet came from the Free Cycle area at the Kelley Road Dump Station. The trowel holder is the from an old rake with the metal part of the handle bent to 90 degrees and stuck into a small hole in the back board. Speaking of the back boards, they are old fence boards that have been stained. My water can collection from yard sales are hanging from some left over pergola pieces. Beware of Attack Gardener sign, trowel doorknocker and cat bell are gifts from some good friends.is from a good friend.
Some tools don't need to be in the sun and weather all the time, so an old mail box is added for dry storage.
Notice the light switch above the mail box? Left over again from a project that now controls a low voltage light so I can work at the bench if it gets too dark and I want to finish the job. Sign on top of the mail box came from my fathers mail box (he's in heaven and not receiving any letters right now). Water connections are from a nearby hose bib, tied into sink and also to a hose in the top middle of the back board. Drain from sink is connected to a large bucket, so any water used is saved for watering other plants about the garden.
This section of back board holds a paper towel rack, a special container in case of dehydration (may not be water?), a hand towel ring, and finally a flat shovel for a shelf, just remove the handle, drill a small hole in the back board and stick it in.
All in all a fun project, great work area, and done on a very small budget. Happy Gardening!
http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/backyard-potting-center