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Simple Potting Bench

A two-shelf outdoor potting station — 2x4 shelf grates on angled-height legs, a 1x6 top shelf with back supports, trimmed corners for safety.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Shelf boards	10	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 36"	2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated	☐
Shelf side supports	4	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 19 1/2"	2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated	☐
Shelf center supports	2	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 19 1/2"	1x2, 4 ft	☐
Front legs	2	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 36"	2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated	☐
Back legs	2	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 48"	2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated	☐
Top shelf boards	2	3/4" × 5 1/2" × 39"	1x6, 8 ft	☐
Back supports	2	3/4" × 2 1/2" × 39"	1x3, 8 ft	☐

Item	Qty	✓
2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated	7 each	☐
1x6, 8 ft	1 each	☐
1x3, 8 ft	1 each	☐
1x2, 4 ft	1 each	☐
Exterior decking screws, 2"	60 each	☐
Wood glue, exterior rated	3 oz	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

1. Build the two shelf grates
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, cedar or exterior treated, Exterior decking screws, 2", Wood glue, exterior rated
Attach the shelf boards to the side supports with exterior decking screws (installed per the manufacturer's packaging). A pocket-hole jig lets you fasten from the underside and hide all screw holes. Build two shelves and check both for square. Glue is recommended.
2. Add the center supports
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 1x2, 4 ft, Exterior decking screws, 2"
Mark the center of the underside of each shelf and attach the center support with 2" screws.
3. Attach the shelves to the legs
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set, Tape Measure. Materials: Exterior decking screws, 2"
Mark the back legs 36" from the bottom. Attach the shelves to the legs from the insides to hide screw holes, predrilling and countersinking every screw.
4. Check for square at every step
Tools: Level, Tape Measure
Check the whole bench for square by measuring diagonally across the back, and level the legs with a level. Repeat this check at every subsequent step, not just at the end.
5. Add the top shelf and finish
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x6, 8 ft, 1x3, 8 ft
Attach the top shelf side supports to the top shelf. Trim the sharp outside corners off for safety. Sand and finish.