Get the Dirt on Potting Benches
Possibly a gardener's best friend, potting benches have some surprising uses both outdoors and inside the home
The bulbs you've stored cold all winter are starting to sprout, and it's time to gear up for the next few seasons of gardening. If you're serious about your gardening, you'll need a good potting bench. Today we'll take a look at some great benches and where to place them. In our next installment, I'll help you outfit your bench with all the tools you'll need.
I spied this bench at a show house here in Georgia, and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. It has one of the handiest features possible, a utility sink. This particular bench incorporates a salvaged sink.
This wonderful partially covered space can convert from a utilitarian area to a beautiful spot to dine al fresco. Imagine paper lanterns and white lights dangling from the roof structure while candles glow on the table.
A close-up reveals a protected spot that is great for arranging and storing pots and garden tools. It can also be transformed into a serving bar or buffet during outdoor dinner parties.
Watering cans and a place to sit and putter are useful additions to a potting bench. Note the way the color of the bench blends into the wall behind it. Also, matching baskets can serve as storage for tools, bulbs and seeds as well as functional trugs for carrying supplies out to the beds and for carrying produce and cut blooms to the house.
These functional cabinets have old-world style, and the pair makes a great potting area. One has a sink, the other has a work surface and both have concealed storage underneath. These can sit on a patio and fit right into the sophisticated exterior areas around this house. When not in gardening mode, they can be set up as an outdoor bar.
This potting shed on a farmhouse property provides storage for larger tools and a lawn mower, while a bench outside is covered by the roof. We'll get to potting sheds in a future ideabook. For today, we'll admire the shade provided by the roof — much needed in hot central Virginia summers.
See the rest of this country home
See the rest of this country home
A potting bench needn't be outdoors. Dear Daisy Cottage has made her potting area decorative as well as functional, incorporating it into her screened-in porch. Colorful paint works well with brightly colored pots and a vintage bucket.
See the rest of this colorful home
See the rest of this colorful home
No space outdoors? Commandeer a spot in the garage for hanging tools and preparing your pots and floral arrangements.
A potting bench tucked inside a mudroom is also a great solution if you lack outdoor space. It's a great spot to use for arranging flowers too.
Flowers sitting pretty and ready to be arranged add a lovely touch to this entry area. I love that there's a spot to sit and enjoy the view.
Cream Console Table
This console table makes a great potting bench. The open shelf below can hold lots of pots, cloches, vases and other potting needs, while the drawers can hold supplies like twine, gardening tools, labels and seeds.
Gardener's Tool Time Gift Set
If a potting bench is not in your immediate future, a tool set like this makes for easy transport to and from the garden. I use a very similar one myself.
Rockway Jumbo 4 Wheel Industrial Wagon
Finally, a cart like this can complement a potting bench or serve as an on-the-go substitute.
More:
Garden Musts for March
Guest Picks: Essentials for the Classic Garden
Inspiring Raised Beds for Spring and Fall Planting
More:
Garden Musts for March
Guest Picks: Essentials for the Classic Garden
Inspiring Raised Beds for Spring and Fall Planting