Simple 2x4 Potting Bench with Slatted Back

Mark the back legs at 11-1/4" and 35-1/4" up from the bottom — those are the top edges of the lower and upper side aprons. Attach the 22" side aprons to the back legs at the marks with 2-1/2" screws.

Then mark the front legs 1-1/2" in from the front edge and 11-1/4" up, and attach the other ends of the aprons. Build both sides, and check them against each other — all four apron heights must match or the shelves will teeter.

Screw and glue the 39" front aprons across the two side assemblies with the 2" screws — one at the work surface, one at the bottom shelf level. The bench is now freestanding; check it doesn't rock.

Set the shelf boards on the bottom shelf with about 1/2" gaps and screw down with 2" screws. Repeat for the work surface.

The gaps are the design working: potting soil falls through instead of accumulating, and rain drains instead of pooling.

Cut the two braces at 45° on both ends and screw and glue them from the back legs down to the back shelf board.

Don't skip these as cosmetic — every scoop of soil shoves this bench sideways, and the diagonals are what keep that from slowly racking the frame apart.

Screw the 42" back boards horizontally across the tall back legs with 2" screws, even gaps, from the work surface up. This slatted back is hanging real estate — trowels, snips, twine — so keep the gaps consistent enough to hook things over.

Attach the hutch shelf at the top: screw through the back boards and the back legs into the shelf board's sides and back with 2" screws.

Sand everything — especially the work surface's front edge — and either let cedar weather or seal ordinary lumber well. Then pot something.