9 Reasons You Need a Potting Bench

Looking for ways to organize garden supplies, plant containers more easily, and save your body from strain? Here are 9 reasons you need a potting bench?

For most of my gardening life, I never had a potting bench. I used whatever surface was available, whether it was the ground, a table, or a bench.

However, once my husband built a potting bench for me for Mother’s Day from wood scraps we had behind the shed. It has been a lifesaver and I never looked back.

Because I realized how much easier and more enjoyable gardening is with a dedicated workspace.

Having a potting bench has made a significant difference in my gardening routine, from keeping my tools organized to providing a comfortable height for working.

So if you don’t have one, you NEED one…stat!

Here’s why.

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I Didn’t Always Have a Potting Bench

I’ve been gardening for well over twenty years. But having a potting bench was a relatively new thing for me.

It’s something I’d always wanted but never bought for myself. I shopped around for potting benches and talked about getting one for years but never did anything about it.

As I’m getting older, it’s more strenuous on my back when I lean over to work on my potted plants. But my husband said he’d build one for me.

So I waited.

And through the years, we were so busy doing so many other home improvement projects that building a potting bench fell by the wayside.

We remodeled a kitchen. Gave our laundry room a makeover. Remodeled the bathroom – that was a big deal!

We painted the shed.

And painted every room in my former house including the living room and dining room.

But then we had to stay home for that one year, and that’s when Chris decided to make me a potting bench for Mother’s Day.

And I love it.

I’ve been using it ever since and would never go back to not having one.

What is the Point of a Potting Bench?

It makes gardening that much easier.

Having a potting bench provides gardeners with a dedicated workspace for performing various gardening tasks, such as potting plants, transplanting seedlings, pruning, and organizing gardening supplies.

They are typically designed to be counter-height so it gets the work up off the ground, which helps reduce strain on the body.

With a potting bench, all of the gardening tools and supplies can be organized in one place making it more efficient and productive to work.

9 Reasons You Need a Potting Bench

As a gardener, you may find yourself constantly struggling with the lack of space to work on your plants.

This is where a potting bench can come in handy. A potting bench is a raised surface designed to help gardeners perform various tasks, such as potting plants, pruning, and transplanting.

If you don’t have one – you need one!

Here’s why you need a potting bench as a gardener:

Saves Time and Effort

One of the main advantages of having a potting bench is that it saves you time and effort. Instead of constantly bending over to reach the ground or work on a low surface, you can work at a comfortable height that is easier on your back and knees.

Provides a Dedicated Workspace

A potting bench provides you with a dedicated workspace for your gardening tasks. Instead of using a makeshift surface, such as an old table or the ground, you can use a potting bench that is specifically designed for gardening activities.

This allows you to keep all your gardening tools and supplies in one place, making it easier to stay organized.

Increases Productivity

A potting bench can help increase your productivity as a gardener. With everything you need within easy reach, you can work more efficiently, saving time and effort.

You can also work on multiple plants at once, making it easier to complete your gardening tasks in a timely manner.

Reduces Clutter

A potting bench can help reduce clutter in your garden. Instead of leaving your gardening tools and supplies scattered around your yard, you can keep them all in one place.

So it’s a great place to organize and store garden supplies such as containers, tools and soil.

This not only makes your garden look neater, but it also helps you stay organized and find what you need more easily.

Protects Your Back and Knees

Gardening can be tough on your back and knees, especially if you are constantly bending over to work on your plants.

A potting bench can help protect your back and knees by providing a raised surface that allows you to work at a more comfortable height.

This is a great option for those that want to garden but need to save your back, neck, knees, and legs from strain.

Easy to Clean

Potting benches are designed to be easy to clean. Most potting benches are made of materials such as metal, wood, or plastic, which can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

This makes it easy to keep your workspace clean and free from debris, helping to prevent the spread of disease and pests in your garden.

So the potting mess stays with the bench. Isn’t that great? It makes things so much easier when you are potting up a bunch of plants because you don’t have to clean it up!

Sink Optional

Some benches have sinks so they can also be used as a washing station. Not all potting benches have this option but there are some that do.

Multiple Uses

A potting bench can also be used for other things like an outdoor beverage table or buffet area for parties.

I love a piece that is multifunctional.

If you want to use a potting bench for this purpose, make sure you buy or build one that is capable of being moved around.

Makes Great Home Decor

And best of all?

It can be decorated for the seasons. So you don’t need to be a gardener to buy a potting bench cause it would look super cute in your outdoor living spaces.

Check out how I decorated my potting bench during the fall. Doesn’t it look so pretty?

Now of course it never stays this way for long because I plant stuff. But it was fun to see it all organized and prettied up for autumn instead of dumping and storing it all in the driveway.

Where is the Best Place to Put a Potting Bench?

The best place to put a potting bench is in a location that is convenient for you and suitable for your gardening needs. Here are some things to consider.

1. Accessibility: Choose a location that is easily accessible and allows you to move around the potting bench freely. This will help you to work more efficiently and avoid any unnecessary strain.
2. Sunlight: If you plan to work on your potting bench for extended periods, consider a location that gets plenty of natural light but is shaded by direct sun in the heat of the day.
3. Water source: If you plan to use your potting bench for watering and other tasks that require water, choose a location that is near a water source or can easily be connected to a garden hose.
4. Shelter: If you live in an area with frequent rainfall or harsh weather conditions, consider placing your potting bench in a covered area or under a canopy to protect it from the elements.
5. Space: Make sure to choose a location that provides enough space for your potting bench and allows you to move around it comfortably.

In general, the best place to put a potting bench is in an area that is easily accessible, has good lighting, and is protected from the weather. But also consider your specific gardening needs and preferences when choosing a location for your potting bench.

At our former home, I used to keep it next to the garden shed. Here at our new home, I keep it next to a small garden shed on the side of garage.

But I have to say, I’m considering getting a decorative one for the front porch to display my indoor plants while the weather is seasonable.

What to Look for When Buying a Potting Bench

If you’re considering buying a potting bench, there are a few things to look for to ensure you get the best one for your gardening needs.

• Size and Height: Choose a potting bench that is the right size and height for your needs. Make sure it is big enough to accommodate your gardening tools and supplies, and tall enough to allow you to work comfortably without straining your back or knees.
• Material: Potting benches can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic. Consider the durability and weather resistance of the material, as well as its appearance and how it will fit with your garden decor.
• Storage: Look for a potting bench that has ample storage space for your gardening tools and supplies. This could include shelves, hooks, and drawers.
• Work Surface: Choose a potting bench with a sturdy work surface that is easy to clean and can withstand moisture and spills.
• Mobility: Consider whether you need a potting bench that can be easily moved around your garden or one that is stationary. If you need mobility, look for a potting bench with wheels or that is lightweight and easy to lift.
• Assembly: Consider how easy the potting bench is to assemble and whether you will need any special tools or assistance.
• Price: Set a budget for your potting bench and compare prices and features to find the best value for your money.

Overall, when buying a potting bench, consider your gardening needs and preferences, as well as the quality and durability of the materials and features.

By choosing the right potting bench, you can make gardening tasks much easier and more enjoyable for yourself.

More About Potting Benches

A potting bench is a must-have for any gardener. It provides a dedicated workspace, saves time and effort, increases productivity, reduces clutter, protects your back and knees, and is easy to clean.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out, a potting bench can help make your gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable.

Do you have a potting bench? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

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Where to Buy a Potting Bench

If you or your spouse aren’t handy, there are so many wonderful potting bench options you can buy that will accommodate any garden space or budget.

I found some great ones that I would LOVE to have. Some are so pretty yet functional.

And if you aren’t that big into gardening, they would even make great decor for a porch or patio.

Click here to shop for potting benches.

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
• Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
• I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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