by Ed Horne
It’s only Wednesday and I’ve already got my honey-do-list for this weekend! Mixed in with the standards (i.e. mow the lawn, change the oil in the car, etc.), my wife has assigned me the task of building her a garden bench. Though I’m not quite convinced that we’ll be sitting in the garden every evening as she claims, she was kind enough to task me with a project that I’ll actually enjoy. For all of you men out there that want to add something fun to your honey-do-list, I’m passing along my simple bench making plans.
Wooden Garden Bench
I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there are tons of websites out there that provide garden bench plans for the Average Joe. Well, I’ve combined different tactics from a variety of plans and put together my own strategy based upon the hope of recreating a bench I once saw in a store long ago. Purchasing the completed bench was far too costly, but it was memorable enough to be tucked away in my mind for a time like this. We’ll be building a bench with two large (18” or taller, less than 20” in diameter) ceramic pots as “legs”.
For this project I will be purchasing the following materials (please note: I am partial to cedar, so that’s what I’ll be using, but feel free to choose your favorite material):
I will also be gathering the following tools:
To assemble our garden bench I will follow these simple steps:
1.) Build a ladder-like frame - start by laying out the two 9’ boards as the sides.
2.) Using the (8) 19¼” 2 x 6’s make “rungs”. Start by putting one piece at either end as a top and bottom. Be sure to measure the diameter of your flower pots. The largest section between supports will need to accommodate enough room for the pots at either end of the bench – a 20” section maximum would be appropriate. Please note: The pots should not be right at the edge of the bench rather about 6” from the end – this will help with stability as the center of the bench will have more support.
3.) Use the 3” deck screws to secure each piece. Each screw should be countersunk (the head of the screw is flush with or below the surface of the wood).
4.) Sand the frame before adding the top panels.
5.) Place the (4) 10-ft. 2 x 6’s on the frame. Evenly space the panels before securing them with deck screws. It is okay for the panels to overhang the frame. At this point, the “seat” is almost complete.
6.) Turn a flower pot upside down on the scrap cardboard. Trace the rim of the flowerpot. Cut the circle out and then reduce the size of the circle by 2”. You want to be sure that the seat of the bench will rest on the lip of the flower pots securely. Tip: Find another household item that has a diameter which measures approximately 2” less than the flower pot. You can trace that in the center of the circle you just cut out to make it easier to get the shape and size you need.
7.) Place the bench on top of the flower pots (the pots will go under the largest section between supports – the 20” section mentioned previously). Center the cutout over each pot and trace its outline.
8.) Using your Makita 9.6V Cordless Reciprocating Saw cut out each circle.
9.) Sand the bench down and then seal the bench with the deck stain you purchased.
10.) Place the completed seat on top of the flower pots. Add soil and the flowers or trees of your choice!
I just know that my wife will love this bench. I don’t know about you, but this is one project I’ll be sorry to cross off of my honey-do-list!
