Do-it-Yourself Garden Benches

Cut one of the large 4-inch-by-4-inch posts into two lengths of 30 inches with a circular saw. Cut the other post into two lengths of 48 inches.

Dig two 12-inch deep holes for the front two legs of the bench with a post hole digger. The center of the holes should be 5 feet apart. Dig two matching holes 16 inches behind the first two holes to accommodate the rear legs.

Cut each of the two 8-foot 2-by-4 boards into 72-inch lengths. Cut the remaining pieces to 21 inches in length.

Place the two shorter posts in the two front holes. Align the posts squarely to one another, with the outside edges 72 inches apart. Verify that the posts are plumb with the level, and fill in dirt around the posts to hold them securely in place.

Place the two longer posts in the two rear holes. Verify that the posts are positioned squarely to the two front posts and one another. The outside edges of the two posts should be 72 inches apart, with the distance between the outside edges of the corresponding side posts at 18 inches. Plumb the posts with the level and fill in dirt around the posts to hold them in place.

Position a 72-inch 2-by-4 spanning the front two posts, with the top edge 18 1/2 inches above the ground. Check to see that the board is level, then attach it to the posts with three deck screws using the cordless drill.

Repeat the previous step with the rear 72-inch board on the two back posts. Then, attach the two 21-inch boards to the sides of the posts, aligned evenly with the front and back 72-inch stretchers.

Cut each of the 12-foot-long 2-by-4 boards into 72-inch sections. You should have 10 72-inch sections when done.

Place one of the 72-inch boards across the two side stretchers in front of the rear posts, and attach to the side stretchers with two deck screws through each joint. Position the next 72-inch board across the stretchers parallel to the first, leaving an even 1/2-inch gap between the two boards. Attach this board with two deck screws into each stretcher. Repeat with three more boards to form the seat of the garden bench.

Place one 72-inch board between the two posts in the rear of the bench rising above the seat. Attach the board to the posts with two deck screws through the board into each post. Repeat with four more boards, leaving a 1/2-inch gap between each board to form the back of the bench.