I’ve been thinking about asking the Handsome Husband to build me a new potting bench. The one I have is about 10 years old and the back legs are starting to deteriorate.
Here are a few styles I found on-line that I like. What do you think?
This is the potting bench of my dreams. Totally impracticable for outdoor use, but it’s beautiful. I like the slate counter top, the hooks and the iron wheels.
I like this idea of using an old desk as a potting bench as well. The HH would never go for it though because it looks old.
But this, he would totally go for this old potting table circa 1950. Well, that is until he saw the price tag of $6,800. Holy crack! I don’t think so.
Okay, coolest table ever. But $16,000? Who on earth {besides Oprah and Martha} would pay that much for a potting bench? I’m pretty sure if we found the right materials, this old packing table wouldn’t even cost $160 to make.
I really like the peg board idea, but I don’t know if it would hold up to all the rain we get in the Seattle area. Plus, I’m not sure if I like the idea of having doors on a potting bench.
This one is kind of cool. I really like the wire grate in the back. Can you imagine what it would look like if sweet peas were planted at the base and they were coming up through the wire? I bet it would look marvelous.
So what do YOU use for a potting bench? An old desk? Table? Nothing at all?
Mavis wants to know.
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Kendra says
You should check out Second Use in Seattle. They might have items you could use to build one out of a cool old desk or table. Just about all of their products are listed online too so you have an idea of what they have before you head over there. Little items like door knobs and light switches aren’t on the website so those are always a surprise.
Mavis says
Thanks Kendra!
Carin says
Freecycle, Craigslist and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore outlets are all great options to pick up cheap/free materials to make one out of.
You might also want to check out places that sell packing tables. Many sell accessories like ledges, shelves and drawers to customize it for your needs. Tables themselves start for as little as $200, depending on what it’s made out of.
Lara Fara says
I hadn’t heard of the Habitat outlets, thanks for the tip!
maggiewann says
Those are beautiful potting benches, but do they give you enough room to work? Mine is a door on sawhorses covered with a blue tarp. I’ve been using it for years and it works great. It’s always covered with plants and pots so I don’t care what it looks like.
Lara Fara says
I just assembled my 6th small planter box today. Bought the wood boards at Home Depot and nailed it together to music! Compost in by next week, busy weekend. 🙂
vickie says
I just made a mess yesterday on the patio table – guess I need a potting bench too just not sure where to put it though! Sinks I think would be great to wash not only the hands but the fresh vegetables later on. Good luck
Saralie says
you should totally make one out of all those free pallets you keep scoring. I am sure you could make something very classy and cheap. (especially if you stain it like the remainder of your outdoor furniture.)
Katie says
We use a stainless steel kitchen work table that I scored from a snack shop going out of business. Used it for 8 yrs as a work table for my floral design business and now its a potting bench on the screen porch. I love that I can just hose it off or wipe it down with bleach. Has a lower shelf that holds 5 gallon buckets of soil, seed trays, and more. A bit modern and industrial, but it works.
Sarah says
Check out this rustic bench they made from a shipping pallet. You could always grab a few more free pallets somewhere!
Sarah says
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/03/pallet-potting.html?m=1