How We Built This Easy Potting Table for Free

4 Materials
$5
1 Hour
Easy

Did you know that we recently built a Greenhouse using reclaimed doors? Well, prior to finding the doors, I had started collecting windows to use for the project. Since we had a supply of windows on hand, we decided to use them to build a potting table for the Greenhouse.

This is how we built our Easy DIY Potting Greenhouse Table basically for free. The entire table was built from salvaged and reclaimed materials that were left over from the greenhouse construction. You can see all the Greenhouse details Here. So here’s what you need to build a potting bench.


SUPPLIES


  • 2 – identical windows which together will be the length of your table
  • 2 – 8′ salvaged porch posts.
  • 2 – treated 2 x 4 boards
  • 2 – treated 4 x 1 boards
  • Wood Screws

First, make sure to build your table the correct height. I personally feel that 36″ is a good working height for a garden or potting table. Therefore, it would be necessary to cut of the excess length from the bottom of each 8′ posts, before cutting them in half.

Begin by cutting the excess length off each post using a  chop saw and then cut the post in half. As a result, you will have four identical posts.

Next, let’s measure the length and width of the windows being used to build the potting greenhouse table or gardening bench. Using a chop saw, cut your 2 x 4 lumber the exact length of the windows. At this point begin attaching each board to the top of the posts using wood screws and a cordless drill. In addition, align each board with the edge of the posts to form the front and back length of your table.

Next, attach the end boards to the 2 x 4 boards using wood screws and a cordless drill. However, these boards should be attached from the outside so the end can rise above the 2 x 4 boards to form a slight lip. In other words, allow the end board to form a frame for the windows to sit inside of.

Now it’s time to place your windows on the frame and attach them to the base using wood screws from underneath. Above all, avoid using screws longer than your board and window thickness because they will show on the top of your table. In addition, be sure to attach wood to wood and don’t allow the screw to come in contact with the glass.

The DIY Potting Greenhouse Table is a very rustic gardening bench, which works perfectly inside the greenhouse. If you plan to use your table outside, you will want to use all treated lumber or seal your potting table with exterior paint. In addition, if you plan to use your table for more than decor display, I would recommend adding a sheet of Plexiglas to the top for safety reasons.

So this is a simple way to re-purpose old windows and other architectural salvage into a functioning potting table/gardening bench. Also for added storage, we re-purposed an IKEA cabinet into an apothecary cabinet. You can see all the details here.

Resources for this project:
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Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 4 questions
  • Vee Vee on Jul 22, 2020

    Glass? Not a potting table. Seems beyond dangerous. Plus the glass looks old, made before the laws required tempered glass. Meaning the glass could shatter in large shards, super dangerous. Maybe I missed the part where she replaced the glass with heavy duty plastic?

  • Lynn Lynn on Jul 23, 2020

    Sooooooooo cute

  • Karen Karen on Jul 24, 2020

    Why are you blocking your doors?

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4 of 16 comments
  • Tonya Tonya on Aug 03, 2020

    Wow! I really love how you think!! It's beautiful! tfs

  • Carol Carol on Aug 04, 2020

    Great project. I am in process of replacing an old porch/have the posts enough to do 2 tables and some old vintage windows. I was going to do a picture collage. Could put pics between glass/plexi for a special touch

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