How to Build a Garden Workbench

Cut a 54-inch-long piece from an eight-foot 2x4. Cut a 36-inch-long piece from the remaining piece. Repeat this step with another eight-foot 2x4. These pieces are the legs.

Cut an eight-foot 2x4 into 22-inch-long pieces. These are the crosspieces.

Measure 12 inches beginning at the base of each leg and mark that spot. Measure up an additional 3 1/2 inches and make another mark. Use a crosspiece for accuracy and notch out one-half of the width of the wood.

Notch out the top 3 1/2 inches on the 2x4s that are 36-inches long. This is for the counter piece. Use the crosspiece for accuracy.

Use the front legs as a guide and notch the same space out on the back legs, about 32.5 inches from the base. Repeat this step for the other back leg.

Create notches in the crosspieces that are same width as the legs.

Fit all the crosspieces to the legs. Drill 3/8-inch holes at each notch joint. Apply wood glue on the inside of the notches. Place a washer on inside and outside of the hole. Place a galvanized bolt through the hole and use a nut to secure it. Repeat the process for all legs and crosspieces.

Cut two 45-inch-long pieces from an eight-foot 2x4.These are the shelf supports. Cut all of the 1x4 planks to 48 inches long and attach a 45-inch 2x4 to the back legs by the notched area. Use three 3-inch screws and wood glue to attach it.

Attach another 45-inch 2x4 to the crosspiece at the back of the front legs. Secure in place with three 3 inch screws and wood glue. Measure and cut a 2x4 16 inches in length for the center crosspiece of the base shelf.

Lay a 48-inch 1x4 at the front for the countertop. It should be even with the crosspieces and the legs. Place the next 1x4 inch plank 1/4-inch behind the first one. Attach it the same way. Repeat this step for the next planks.

Notch the last plank so that it fits around the back legs. The scrap piece can be used as a support brace for underneath the plank. Repeat the same process for the base shelf that you used for the countertop.

Cut the two 1x6s into four 48-inch-long pieces. Fasten a 1x6 to the front of the bench. It should be even with the countertop and edges of the legs. Repeat the process for the back of the countertop.

Measure and cut a 2x4 to 22.5 inches long for the center crosspiece. Use the leftover 1x4 piece and cut three support brackets 7 inches long. On one side measure in 5 inches and make a 45-degree angle cut. This will makes the finished edge to the bracket.

Fasten a bracket to all of the vertical rear legs. It should be flush with the top and back of the leg. Fasten a 48-inch 1x4 to the brackets. Affix the remaining 1x6 plank behind the shelf. It should be about 1.5 inches above the shelf and 3 inches below the shelf. Secure it in place.

Fasten the last bracket to the underneath the shelf. Screw it to the back plank. Sand with medium and fine sandpaper. Apply three coats of Minwax. Coat the base of the legs and you've completed your workbench.