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DIY Folding Potting Bench on Garden Shed

Maybe you’re like me and when you feel the shift in the seasons, you know you better get your ducks in a row. I realize part of that is because of where I live, but also because life shifts with the seasons. Come autumn we enter back into our full-time homeschool (we school all year, just lighter in the summer). Plus, we need to have our winter preparations complete. I get in a sort of tizzy to wrap up projects so I can settle in. Today, I’m taking this garden shelf and reclaiming it into my DIY folding potting bench.

3 Tier Garden Shed Shelf | prodigalpieces.com

If you’ve been following along with us, then you saw how we took our dilapidated garden shed and rebuilt it over the spring/summer. See our full post HERE (video below) One of the things I didn’t want to toss was this 3-tier garden shelf. While I could have knocked it over by blowing it a kiss, I saw it still had potential.

DIY Garden Shed Remodel Reveal Video Tour by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigal #diy #garden #home #homedecor

I love that it is made of slats so that when you are potting your plants, you soil can fall thru to the ground. That didn’t make it an ideal shelf inside the shed, but it makes it perfect for my potting bench. Also, don’t forget I also have my upcycled potting bench from a changing table too. tee hee.

DIY TIME

First, I take my handy hammer and knock it all apart. Why? Well, like I said, the shelf was barely standing, so I need to rebuild it stronger. Lemme just say, I have never had to take so many nails out of anything!

Bunches of Nails from Shelf | prodigalpieces.com

You can tell that it would begin to fall apart and then they would add more nails. My solution: SCREWS. haha. After I tore it down to pieces, I used my nailer to tack it all together, and then added screws.

Nailing Together DIY Folding Potting Bench by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

This makes it so much stronger and ready to go. However, do note that I am not rebuilding it into a shelf, but rather three separate DIY folding potting benches. You can build this for yourself too. While mine is untreated pine and will most likely fall apart, that’s okay. However, I would use pressure treated pine or teak if I were to start over. Cedar would be too lightweight for a purpose such as this. If you’d like to make your own, here’s the details:

Materials & Dimensions

  • Finished size: 49″ W x 18″ D x 1 ¾” H
    • 8 – 48″ L x 1 ¾” W x ¾” D
    • 2 – 18″ L x 1 ¾” W x ¾” D
    • 2 –  legs cut to the desired height (40″ for me)
    • 1 –  box of 1 ¼” decking screws
    • 2 – 1 ½” L x ½” W hinges
    • 3 – 3″ L x 1″ W hinges
    • 1 – self-locking gate latch

NEXT STEPS

Next, after I had assembled my racks, all I needed to do is add the hardware and legs. For two of the benches, I used the upright legs from the shelf. For the third one, I needed to make two legs out of pressure treated pine I had on hand. Here is the location on the back of my garden shed where I intend to add my folding potting benches.

Cedar Shake Shed Back for Gardening | prodigalpieces.com

You can see our DIY fire pit in the background, and just behind it are my DIY compost bins. That will make it so nice for me to be able to grab compost as I need it instead of hauling it in 5 gallon buckets.

Garden Shed Back Before | prodigalpieces.com

Also, I’ll be using a similar mount as the my drying rack I added on the side of my shed. That was made from a rocking chair back and some chain from a light fixture.

Towel Drying Rack on Shed by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #diy

Here is my first potting bench attached and folded. I set the height of mine to 40″, but that may be too high for some. I am tall and didn’t want back aches from hunching down. Feel free to set your height at what suits you. That means cutting your legs to the height you want, and attaching the back edge to that same height.

First DIY Folding Potting Bench attached to Garden Shed | prodigalpieces.com

Once I got the hang of one, adding the other two is a breeze, especially with the help of my daughter.

DIY Garden Shed Potting Bench by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #diy #home

DIY Folding Potting Benches on Shed by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #garden #homesteading

A CLOSER LOOK

If you take a closer look, you’ll see that the legs are attached flush to the top edge of the bench with hinges. One leg is in the first slat opening, while the next leg is in the second slat opening. That way they can fold up and not hit each other.

Hardware on DIY Folding Potting Bench by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Potting Bench Hinges for Stowing | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

You can also see the gate latch tongue on the bench, while the latch is mounts to the wall. Just add that were it makes the best connection.

Potting Bench Folded Closed | prodigalpieces.com

My setup is sorta rustic, and that’s okay. This is only for gardening purposes and for ME. I’m stoked to have these up so I can re-pot my plants before winter rolls in.

Larissa of Prodigal Pieces with her DIY Folding Potting Bench | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #diy #homesteading #homedecor

DIY Garden Potting Bench from Reclaimed Shelving by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #homesteading #diy #garden #selfsustaining

Gardening totally is therapeutic and offers the biggest of blessings, especially when you can share. I was blessed to receive my aloe start from a lady who also shares her herbs from her beautiful garden. When they get overgrown she lets folks come and dig up to help her and them.

Planting Aloe Start to Share with Neighbors on DIY Folding Potting Bench by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #gardening #homesteading

Every few months, I take my new aloe starts and pot them up and give them as gifts. Who doesn’t love succulents?

Larissa of Prodigal Pieces Gardening on her DIY Folding Potting Bench | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #diy #homesteading

Aloe Starts Re-potted to Share by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #diy #gardening #succulents

My kids and I forage some of our sunflowers, load up the wagon, and head off to hand out to neighbors. Bringing sunshine and flowers is the best!

Picking Sunflowers to Share by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #sunflowers #gardening

Wagon of Flowers and Succulents by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #gardening #encouragement

Kid Wagon with Sunflowers | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden

We came home hot, tired, and overjoyed at the smiles and fun we gave. Giving is more rewarding to the giver than the receiver. Do you agree?

WRAP-UP

My goal is to inspire you to create your own home story, dabble in some dirt therapy, and be willing to share with others. We met many folks feeling a heaviness, but we hope we lightened their load, even just for a bit.

Reclaimed DIY Folding Potting Bench built by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #garden #homesteading

Simple Garden Living with DIY Folding Garden Bench by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #garden #

Also, do pin and share my DIY folding potting bench because inspiring others is a blessing too.

DIY Folding Potting Bench with plans by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces } prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #gardening #homesteading #selfsufficient

Shop Prodigal Pieces Furniture, Vintage Finds, Handmade Goods, & Supplies for your home | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Up next, I’ll be sharing the makeover of this vintage beauty. See the new look HERE.

Vintage Basset Before Makeover | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!

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While you’re at it, here are more garden builds like my DIY folding potting bench:

Build this beautiful DIY Garden Arbor to add height and growing space to your garden. Full build plans with video at Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comYou can build this DIY bike garden shed on a budget | Video tutorial by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #home #outdoor #garden #storage

Comments

  1. Lori Sawyer says

    Your benches are so convenient! I sit-in the ground lol

    • Larissa says

      haha. I still do that too because it feels good. Have fun!

  2. Rebecca - NC says

    They are great!! I love that they fold up when not being used. And what a great thing to do with your kids!!! You are absolutely amazing! I imagine you must fall asleep before your head hits the pillow each night!!! You are truly an inspiration!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! I’m so happy to put that stand to use as I loved the design. I do fall asleep while reading to my youngest. haha.

  3. ColleenB.~Tx. says

    Your fold-up potting work area is totally Awesome. Such a clever idea. Up and out of the way when not using them
    Those would also be ideal to tie and hang your garlic, onions, herbs on, as well as laying your potatoes on top to dry.

    • Larissa says

      Thanks! Yes, you got what I was after. Multi-purpose for many things. I even came upon my youngest son instructing my littlest how he could use them to climb up on the shed and no one would ever no. haha! NOPE.

  4. Sheryl Danner says

    Larissa, I just love your creativity, and your skills are incredible. .you are a gift to all of us that follow your blog❤️

    • Larissa says

      aww…I do believe you just made my day, Sheryl. Thank you!

  5. Judy Newell says

    Those drop down racks are super clever. Thanks for your wonderfully ideas.

    • Larissa says

      I’m just glad I was able to make use of them in some form. Thanks, Judy!

  6. Becky says

    What a cool idea! Your potting bench is great! How handy that it folds out of the way when you don’t need it!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks so much! I am tickled to death to have it up and done.

  7. Minnie says

    Ohhh, handy dandy!
    Lovvvve it❤️
    And dirt therapy….I think I’ll just have to add that to my list of favorite sayings.
    Blessings to you ?
    Minnie

    • Larissa says

      haha…go for it! It seriously is fun for me and heals my winter blues.

  8. ColleenB.~Tx. says

    Showed your creation to my husband and he thought that it was really a neat idea and was wondering if you laid awake at night thinking up such Great projects like this? :} I told him that your brain just works over time coming up with these wonderful ideas. You totally rock.
    After showing him this; he aske me ,”I suppose you want something like that” Yuppers! I sure do cause I really don’t have a stand / table to do any potting of plants unless I sit and do it on the ground. (I’m getting too hold to sit on the ground and getting back up again.)

    • Larissa says

      tee hee!! I used to, but now fall asleep so fast before I can even think. I love that you want one too. I always potted on the ground, but felt this would help my back a bit, and be able to use as a drying rack. Win-win!

  9. Kelly says

    How creative! You always do great work!

    • Larissa says

      You know I’m waste-not-want-not mentality. Thanks so much, Marie.

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