Hi everyone! Jen Woodhouse here, excited to share my newest project: a DIY potting bench! Plants are one of my love languages, and I’m happy to say that my “vocabulary” is growing rapidly! It’s fall planting season, so this DIY potting bench is the perfect weekend project for all you plant lovers out there.
I love having a dedicated gardening station for all my plant experiments. My plant babies each have a personality all their own — I’m learning what they like and don’t like, how best to care for them, as well as when they’re sad and wilted because I’ve been a neglectful plant mama. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of plant deaths; there’s definitely a learning curve, but it’s been a fun journey so far.
Are you ready to make your own DIY potting bench?
Download the PDF plans: DIY Potting Bench
Materials:
- (2) 2×2 x 8ʹ boards
- (9) 1×3 x 8ʹ boards
- (6) 1×2 x 8ʹ boards
- (1) lattice
- 8″ of scrap 1 x 6 board
- 2½” Simpson Strong-Tie® stainless-steel wood screws
- 2″ Simpson Strong-Tie stainless-steel wood screws
- 1¼” Simpson Strong-Tie stainless-steel wood screws
- 1¼” brad nails
- 1″ brad nails
- Exterior wood glue
Tools:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Carpenter’s square
- Cordless drill/driver
- Circular saw
- Jig saw
- Brad nailer
- Brad nailer or hammer
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Dust mask
Cut List:
- (2) 2×2 @ 42″ (back legs)
- (2) 2×2 @ 33¾” (front legs)
- (12) 1×3 @ 42″ (slats)
- (4) 1×2 @ 42″ (long aprons)
- (4) 1×2 @ 17¼” (short aprons)
- (4) 1×2 @ 17¼” (supports)
- (4) 1×3 @ 18¾” (sides)
- (2) 1×6 @ 4″ (shelf brackets)
- (2) 1×3 @ 45″ (top shelf slats)
- (3) 1×2 @ 5½” (top shelf slat supports)
- (1) 1×3 @ 42″ (lattice top rail)
- (2) 1×2 @ 14″ (lattice stiles)
- (1) 1×2 @ 42″ (lattice bottom rail)
- (1) lattice @ 42″ x 10 inches
I love these Deck-Drive™ DWP Wood Screws by Simpson Strong-Tie. They’re built to withstand the elements, so they’re great for outdoor applications such as this. The unique “box” thread design with raised-ridge technology greatly reduces driving torque, which just means you can drive more screws on a single battery charge.
This potting bench offers a spacious workstation for all of your planting needs. There’s also a lot of storage space underneath for supplies and other things. The slatted design of the tabletop and bottom shelf makes it ideal for outdoors, because rain and melting snow can drain through the gaps. Use some off-the-shelf lattice to add a nice decorative touch, and be sure to seal the wood with an exterior-grade finish to protect it from the elements.
