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Thread: Potting Bench

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Potting Bench

    I want to build a potting bench for outside in the garden beneath the shade of a couple of trees. I'm thinking of a basic benchtop of planks with enough room for dirt and stuff (Can you tell I'm not a gardener?) can fall through into some sort of bin below. Alternatively I'm thinking a solid benchtop with a cutout insert of mesh, like a garden sieve, to sweep the dirt into to fall below into some sort of bin. It will need some sort of back to hold pots and tools and other stuff.

    I'd appreciate ideas on type of wood and any other design suggestions. I usually default to treated pine for outside and was thinking marine ply for a solid benchtop.....suggestions welcome.

    HH.
    Always look on the bright side...

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Hammer - could you use decking boards for the top? They are cheap, already profiled and are designed to go outside. Use a few ss screws and it would hold forever.

    Just a thought.

    Trav
    Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreen

  4. #3
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    Default

    I made one for SWMBO at our last place but it was too big and heavy to move.
    It was made of treated pine 90x45 for the legs and reactangular top, at the back I used 20x150 boards to stop the pots falling of the back and two boards on the frame at the back.
    There were also two boards either end of the table running front to back to sit pots on and the rest of the frame was filled with a piece of weld mesh I picked up from somewhere for nothing.
    The mesh was about 2" squares and would hold the pots OK, underneath was concrete and a broom just cleaned it out as needed.
    The table was about 6' wide by 3 1/2' deep, weighed a ton and was never going to me moved.
    Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.

  5. #4
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    I gotta amke two of these, one for SWMBO and one for me Mum.

    My ideas are similar to Iain's, except a smaller area mesh, and a placcy 'tainer on runners underneath to catch errant potting mix. MAybe on wheels, but I doubt it will get used much.
    Boring signature time again!

  6. #5
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    SWMBO's was big because she had a heap of big orchids that needed repotting every year, my BIL has an even bigger one and he has 2 acres under shade cloth for his orchids, and it's just a hobby:eek: :eek: :eek:
    Some people get carried away with the gear they have, thank god we woodies are rational
    Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.

  7. #6
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    Dec 2005
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    Ellenbrook WA
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    Default

    Old ironing boards make good potting benches, leaves you more time to do something else.
    "Every Australian boy needs a shed or 2, or 3!"

  8. #7
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    This one is a plan I bought from Bunnings $9.95. Gives the plans, cutting list, shopping list and hardware requirements. It actually a Readers Digest Plan distributed by Bunnings with their name on it.

  9. #8
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    Thanks for the suggestions I think I'll pop down to Bunnings tomorrow and pick up the plan as a starting point, thanks Baz.

    HH.
    Always look on the bright side...

  10. #9
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    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
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    Thumbs up stainless steel kitchen sink

    G'day.

    Another good idea for a potting bench is an old stainless steel kitchen sink with draining boards on each side.
    If you can score one cheap (free) build it into a benchtop.
    You can stick the plug in the sink, fill it with potting mix & pot your plants on the draining board(s).
    If you score a double sink, you can use the other sink for crocking or topdressing (sand/pebbles) or a different mix.
    Some bonsai growers use different sizes of mix.
    When you finish for the day, you pull the plug & hose it down.
    Just hook up a bit of pipe to take the waste to the garden.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

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