How to Build a Cedar Potter's Bench

Cedar is the outdoor building material preferred by many people because of its durability, stability and resistance to weather, mold and insects. Building a potter's bench or potting bench out of cedar helps guarantee that this gardening tool will last a long time. Potter's benches help organize tools for potting and transplanting garden plants, and they provide a permanent, practical work space. The design allows for easy cleaning of the various levels of the bench, which is important when working constantly with fertilizer and dirt.

Cedar board, 1/2-by-24-by-48 inches
Carpenter's level
2 cedar posts, 2-by-2-by-40 inches
2 cedar posts, 2-by-2-by-65 inches
Drill
Drill bits
Galvanized screws, 3-inch
2 cedar boards, 1-by-2-by-24 inches
4 cedar boards, 1-by-6-by-48 inches
Galvanized screws, 2-inch
1 cedar board, 1/2-by-2-by-48 inches
1/2-inch gauge galvanized mesh screen, 24-by-48 inches
Carpentry stapler
Galvanized staples

Instructions

- 1
  Hold a 1/2-by-24-by-48-inch cedar plank flat and 6 inches off the ground with the help of an assistant. Position two 2-by-2-by-40-inch cedar posts upright against one of the long sides. Slide the posts to either end of that side, until the posts are flush with the edge of the plank. Drill two pilot holes through each post and into the cedar plank. Secure the boards together tightly by inserting galvanized 3-inch screws and tightening them until the heads of the screw are flush with the cedar post surface.
- 2
  Repeat the process with two 2-by-2-by-65-inch posts on the other side of the plank, but position a carpenter's level on the plank and level it before drilling the holes. Finish the process as before.
- 3
  Insert a 1-by-2-by-24-inch cedar board horizontally between one set of short and long posts, at the very top of the short post, so that the largest surface of the horizontal board is facing up and is flush with the top of the short post. Drill two pilot holes into each end of the horizontal board through both posts. Fasten the board with 3-inch galvanized screws. Repeat for the other side.
- 4
  Arrange four 1-by-6-by-48-inch cedar planks on top of the bench, parallel with the bottom plank and on top of the horizontal boards. Push them together tightly, and drill two holes down through each side of each board into the boards below, for a total of 16 holes. Attach the boards together with 2-inch galvanized screws.
- 5
  Position a 1/2-by-2-by-48-inch cedar board against the front surfaces of both the two tall rear posts. Adjust the cedar board so its largest surface is facing forward and its top surface is flush with the top of the posts. Drill two holes into the front side of the board and into the front of each of the cedar posts. Attach the boards together with 3-inch galvanized screws.
- 6
  Stretch a galvanized mesh screen with 1/2-inch gauged holes and dimensions of 24-by-48 inches across the rear of the opening between the top board and the main shelf. Staple the screen to the back of the structure using galvanized staples every 6 inches.

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