3 ways to make a handy potting station for your yard
A horizontal surface at working height, with storage above or below, that allows you to avoid bending over to pot up, mix fertilisers or tend to basic gardening chores or tool maintenance is a fabulously useful thing. Back pain begone! And, it doesn’t need to be an eyesore in a garden corner either. Get started by rescuing an old chest of drawers, armoire, cabinet or high table and show it a little tender loving with outdoor paint, hooks, wire and eye-catching accessories – you name it. Here’s your inspiration!
Potting pretty
Transform a daggy old storage chest into the handiest spot to pot by fixing a low and shallow bookcase or small set of shelves to the top. Start by giving it a good sand, then apply primer and a coat of white exterior paint to all surfaces. The storage chest is terrific for hiding your supplies behind closed doors, the level top is ideal for basic garden chores, and the high shelves are just the trick for putting potted colour on show. Positioned undercover at the end of your balcony or verandah, immerse the station into your garden scene with plant stands overflowing with blooms, a sweet birdhouse and more vibrant potted colour.
Keep it simple
If all the bells and whistles aren’t your vibe, opt for a simple high table as your potting bench starting point. Sand it, prime it and paint or stain it any colour you love. Here, a simple whitewash finish is fuss-free, relaxed and a little bit beachy. The wire-clad backing frame does two jobs on a bench like this one: it stops pots and supplies from tipping off the back edge, and provides a super handy place to hook up your garden hand tools. Psst… If you need a bigger work surface, hunt down a larger table – just make sure it has an existing lower level shelf (or add one!) to take your bags of potting mix, tools, pots and other necessary supplies.
Vivid colour
If you’re equal parts decorator and gardener, this attractive potting station idea might just tickle your fancy. Source an old wardrobe or armoire, make any necessary adjustments (such as replacing missing door panels with chicken wire or removing damaged doors entirely to make open storage space) then sand all the surfaces. Apply primer and paint it up in any combination of vivid colours that suit your style. For best results when painting the backing panel of the furniture item a different colour to the rest, it may be easier to remove the panel, paint it, then reattach it once dry. A series of hooks inside doors for gardening tools, a large hook on the outside for your garden hose and new drawer and door knobs make this potting zone not only super handy, but super attractive too!
