DIY wooden potting bench: instructions

A highly robust wood that is not too sensitive to weather, such as larch or acacia, is ideal for a potting bench.

To maintain a self-built potting bench, you should oil it thoroughly before building and then treat it annually with natural oil.

• Slats for the frame and shelves (94 mm x 24 mm)
  2 x 1600 mm, 2 x 880 mm, 3 x 550 mm (including one cross piece for middle wall), 4 x 950 mm, 2 x 950 mm x 94 mm x 24 mm
• Slats for floor and back wall (80 mm x 18 mm)
  6 x 950 mm, 7x 1 m (each 28 mm apart) 
• Side walls and centre wall (made of 15 mm multiplex boards)
  2 x 550 mm x 474 mm, 1 x 550 mm x 568 mm
• Box slide rails, stop rail and dirt trap rail (made of 15 mm multiplex boards)
  3 x 550 mm x 44 mm x 22 mm, 530 mm x 44 mm x 22 mm
• Worktop and fold-out side panel (made of 15 mm multiplex boards)
  1 x 1034 mm x 620 mm, 1 x 586 mm x 620 mm
• Support triangles (made of 15 mm multiplex boards) and Pine slat
  2 x 280 mm x 280 mm (side length), 1 x 600 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm
• Rear wall and door
  950 mm x 474 mm, 340 mm x 460 mm
• Plastic basket
  42 x 30 x 23 cm
• Screws:
  44 screws measuring 4.5 x 75 mm for frame parts
  88 screws measuring 4.0 x 40 mm for slats and worktop
  18 screws measuring 3.0 x 12 mm for the hinges
  18 screws measuring 3.0 x 30 mm for walls and box slide 
• Hinges: 8 measuring 65mm x 40mm
• 6 x 5 cm high screw-on hinges including screws, vertical hinges
• Screw-in hooks for small tools

• Cordless chainsaw e.g. STIHL MSA 140 C-B for the frame boards 
• Garden pruner, e.g. STIHL GTA 26 for the support boards 
• Cordless sander 
• Cordless screwdriver 
• Spirit level 
• Marking pen

Working with high-performance power tools is fun and allows you to broaden your skills, which is great if you can rely on effective and safe protective clothing. Always wear your personal protective equipment when working with STIHL power tools. Find out more in the owners manuals for your product. Before using your power tool for the first time, you should familiarise yourself with it fully and ensure that it is in flawless condition before each use. On request, your STIHL dealer will be happy to prepare your power tool for its first job, and will also advise you on models and sizes of protective clothing that you can try on at your leisure. Please remember that personal protective equipment is no substitute for working safely.

First use the STIHL GTA 26 cordless garden pruner to cut the thin wooden boards, and then use the STIHL MSA 140 C-B cordless chainsaw to cut the thicker ones. Sand rough edges and the surfaces of the boards, which will be oiled later. This step will make subsequent work at the potting table safer and more pleasant.

Oil or varnish all pieces after sawing to length, and allow them to dry in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s best to oil the boards before screwing them together so that no areas remain unoiled.

Screw the sides together and tilt the rear frame board to 45°.

Next screw the frame together, and you’ll see your DIY planting table will start to take shape.

Now you need to attach the supports that provide stability to the entire structure.

Use the cordless screwdriver to secure the lower slats.

Fix the first side panel in place with screws.

Now attach the bottom rail.

Next, attach the second side panel.

Screw the bottom back panel onto your wooden potting bench. 

Now attach the rails for the waste basket. You will find this very useful later, when you want to dispose of plant waste or similar when repotting. Then push the tub into the position provided for it.

Attach the door to your potting table.

Screw in place the worktop that you have already cut to size.

Screw the hinges and angled pieces in place in such a way that the angled bracket can be swung out as a support for the wooden board.

Next you need the extension surface, which you screw in place together with the two wooden strips. Also attach the 1 x 1 cm pine bar onto the extra surface so that it is horizontal when folded out.

Screw the boards for the top back panel of your DIY potting bench in place.

Then attach the shelves to the top back panel – these offer a practical storage option for tools and planting utensils.

You’re almost there. Screw the dirt-retaining strip made from 44 x 22 mm wood, chamfered at the front, onto the left edge of the planting table. This will prevent soil and plant debris from falling off the table and onto the ground.

On the sides, screw in any hooks or rings you would like for hanging small tools. This will help you keep the worktop clear while still having everything you need to hand when working with the planting table later on. For larger power tools, it is better to build your own garden power tool holder.