At a non-strenuous working height, many tasks can be accomplished with our DIY potting bench. And if more space is needed or two people want to work together, the folding side section offers 60 cm of additional work or storage space. On the practical shelves on the rear wall, the necessary utensils are within easy reach and waiting to be used. Once the work is completed, soil or plant residues can be disposed of quickly and easily in the integrated trash can behind the door. This potting bench has it all!
Project materials:
Use sturdy softwood like pine. For added durability, apply a wood oil or varnish to the finished wood. This will also accentuate the grain particularly well.
This potting bench measures 160cm high, just under 100cm wide and has a working height of approximately 90cm; however, dimensions can be adjusted individually if necessary. The door, side and rear panels are made of weather-resistant glued multiplex panels, which are best cut to size at a DIY store.
Pre-drill all screw holes if possible. Although this adds an extra step, it will prevent possible splintering of the wood.
Slats of the two side parts of the “h”-shaped frame:
- 2 x 1600mm x 94mm x 24mm
- 2 x 880mm x 94mm x 24mm
- 3 x 550 mm x 94 mm x 24 mm (including 1 crosspiece for central panel)
- 4 x 950 mm x 94 mm x 24 mm to connect the two side parts of the frame
Two shelf boards:
- 2x950mmx94mmx24mm
Slats for the back wall:
- 7x998mmx80mmx18mm. Saw a 28mm spacer from a suitable piece of wood.
Slats for the bottom:
- 6x950mmx80mmx18mm
Side mud trap:
- 1 x 530mm x 44mm x 22mm
Box sliding bars and stop bar for the central board:
- 3 x 550mm x 44mm x 22mm
Equalization bar for the folding table:
- 1 x 600mm x 10mm x 10mm
Worktop / folding side panel in 15 mm multiplex panels:
- 1 x 1034mm x 620mm
- 1 x 586mm x 620mm
2 side panels and 1 central panel in 15 mm multiplex plates:
- 2x550mmx474mm
- 1x550mmx568mm
Rear panel in 15 mm multiplex panel:
Support triangles from 15mm multiplex board:
- 2 x 270 mm x 270 mm (side length)
- 15mm multiplex panel door:
Additional elements:
- Plastic container 42 cm x 30 cm x 23 cm
- Screw hooks for small household appliances
- Wood preservative oil or varnish and brush, if desired
- Magnetic door latches (DIY store)
- Door handle
Screw :
- 44 pieces 4.5 x 75 mm for frame parts and shelves
- 88 pieces 4.0 x 40 mm for slats and worktop
- 18 pieces 3.0 x 12 mm for door hinges and triangles
- 18 pieces 3.0 x 30 mm for frame and middle panel hinges
Hinges:
Tools and PPE (personal protective equipment):
- Chainsaw such as the Stihl MSA 140 C for frame boards
- Garden pruning shears like the GTA 26 for slats, box slide bars and mud trap
- Crusher
- Drill
- Spirit level
- Marker pen
- PPE: Cut protection and work gloves, safety glasses, chainsaw boots, cut protection pants; dust mask when grinding in closed rooms
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: Prepare the materials
Step 1: Measure
Attach and measure the slats of the upper rear panel and the bottom of the workbench: Seven times 998 mm x 80 mm x 18 mm for the rear panel and six slats measuring 950 mm x 80 mm x 18 mm for the bottom. Then measure the slats for the box slide bars, stop bars, and equalizer bars, as well as the side mud pan. When marking the cut
points, remember that the GTA 26 garden pruner and the 140 C cordless chainsaw have a cutting width of approximately 5 mm.
Step 2: Cut the Slats to Length
Now saw the slats to the length corresponding to the marking you made with the GTA 26. Then remove the battery from the device and wipe the chain guide with a cloth. Before putting the GTA 26 aside, replace the chain cover.
Step 3: Measure the Frame Boards
Measure the boards for the side frame pieces and their joints. The upper ends of the supports with a length of 1600 mm are beveled at 45°. This will look better and soften the corners.
Step 4: Cut, Grind and Oil
Using your chainsaw, run the chain at low speed before guiding it toward the wood and then slowly increase the speed. A clean cut is most successful when the claw bumper contacts the workpiece. Grind the edges and roughen the entire planks with 120-grit sandpaper so that the wood preservative oil or stain can be better absorbed. A dust mask is required when sanding indoors. Then apply the oil and let it dry. This may take several days depending on the manufacturer and the information on the packaging.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: assembly
Choose the location of your potting bench before assembling it to avoid moving it later.
Step 5: Screw the Frame
First screw the two side parts together with 2 4.5 x 75 mm screws per side so that they each form a sort of “h”. Please note: The left and right sides are assembled in reverse mirror. Using the 4.5 x 75 mm screws, screw the two “h”-shaped parts onto the four 950 mm long boards and place the resulting base frame of the potting bench vertically. Screw the crosspiece 550 x 94x 24 mm to support the central panel between the upper horizontal parts of the frame. The distance to the left edge of the frame is 28 cm.
Step 6: Attach the Bottom Boards
Attach the six bottom boards (950 x 80 x 18 mm) each at a distance of 2.8 cm from each other to the frame using the 4.0 x 40 mm screws. Even spacing is easily achieved with a spacer that you have sawn to size from scrap wood.
Step 7: Attach the Box Side Panels and Sliding Bars
Screw the left side panel to the inside of the vertical wood piece of the left “h” piece using 1 3.0 x 30mm screw per corner. At a distance of 33 cm from the left side panel, screw the stop bar to the lower boards using the 4.0 x 40 mm screws for the middle panel. The central panel is now screwed to this as well as to the frame crosspiece. Also use the 4.0 x 40 mm screws for this.
Use the spirit level to mark the location of the two sliding bars of the box: their lower edge is each time at a distance of 31.5 cm from the bottom. Screw the slats firmly.
Step 8: Countertop and Hinges
Now attach the rear panel and the right side panel as well as the worktop. Screw the two hinges of the flip panel to the worktop using the 3.0 x 12mm screws on the worktop.
Step 9: Support Triangles
Screw two additional hinges per triangle to both triangles with the 3.0 x 12mm screws, then secure them to the frame with the same size screws.
Step 10: Folding work surface
Screw the equalizer bar onto the flip-up worktop using two 3.0 x 12mm screws, approximately 24cm from the edge. The bar ensures that the worktop will then lie horizontally. Fold the two triangles and attach the folding worktop to the hinges.
Step 11: Door, Back Panel and Shelf
Attach the door handle to the door plate, along with the magnetic latches. Then screw the door to the central panel with two hinges and the 3.0 x 12 mm screws. Now secure the seven slats with the 4.0 x 4.0 mm screws for the upper rear panel at a distance of 2.8 cm. It’s best to re-use the spacer you already used for the bottom boards. Screw the two shelves from the outside through the frame.
Step 12: Mud Trap and Accessories
Firmly attach the left side mud pan to the worktop from above using 2 4.5 x 75mm screws. The hooks for the hand shovel and hand brush can now also be attached with the appropriate screws. A good place for this is, for example, on the left side panel.
Step 13: Work
You’re almost there – now push the trash can onto the sliding bars of the box. You can then use the potting bench to pot, repot or plant as desired at a working height of approx. 90cm. Not enough space? Simply fold the additional work surface and place it on the unfolded support triangles.
You can throw the remaining soil immediately into the trash can: open the door, pull the trash can forward and sweep the dirt into it.
