What you’ll build
52″ rear 2x4 posts and 32½″ front legs form each side, joined by 1x6 aprons. Five 1x4 slats make the work top, four more make the lower shelf on 1x3 cleats, and two 1x3 boards make the upper shelf about 45″ off the floor.
Shopping list
Buy these boards. The list fits every cut onto standard lengths and leaves ⅛″ for each saw cut and ¼″ for trimming board ends.
| Lumber | Length | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 8 ft | 2 |
| 1x6 | 8 ft | 1 |
| 1x4 | 8 ft | 5 |
| 1x3 | 8 ft | 2 |
Cut list
All 22 parts, grouped so you can cut matching pieces together. Exact lengths and end-cut angles for every part are in the free plan in the TimberLab app.
| Part | Lumber | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop Slat | 1x4 | 4 |
| Shelf Slat / Tabletop Slat | 1x4 | 3 |
| Front Leg | 2x4 | 2 |
| Rear Post | 2x4 | 2 |
| Apron | 1x6 | 2 |
| Lower Shelf Slat | 1x4 | 2 |
| Lower Shelf Support | 1x3 | 2 |
| Upper Shelf Support | 1x3 | 2 |
| Front Apron | 1x6 | 1 |
| Rear Upper Shelf | 1x3 | 1 |
| Front Upper Shelf | 1x3 | 1 |
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Speed square
- Eye & ear protection
- Drill
- Miter saw
- Clamps
- Sander
Step-by-step instructions
Assemble Left Side Frame
Lay the 52-inch rear left post and 32 1/2-inch front left leg flat on your work surface. Align the 13-inch left side apron flush with the top of the front leg and position the 13-inch lower shelf cleat 8 1/2 inches from the bottom. Clamp the pieces square across both uprights.
Assemble Right Side Frame
Lay the 52-inch rear right post and 32 1/2-inch front right leg flat on your work surface. Mirror the left assembly by aligning the 13-inch right side apron flush at the top and setting the lower cleat at matching height. Clamp the parts square.
Connect Side Frames with Front Apron
Install Upper Shelf Cleats
Place Lower Shelf Slats
Install Tabletop Slats
Place Upper Shelf Boards
Get the full plan: all 7 steps and every cut length.
Download TimberLab and open Potting bench in the catalog to get every cut length and end-cut angle, all 7 assembly steps in 3D, and Timbo, the AI build helper. Catalog plans are free to open; some features, such as AI edits, require a subscription.
For outdoor use, choose a rot-resistant or pressure-treated lumber (rated for ground contact where wood touches soil) and exterior-rated screws. Seal the end grain, build on level ground, and check the joints each season.
Change the size or design
This plan is one of the projects in the TimberLab app’s catalog. In the app you can turn the model in 3D, follow the assembly steps one part at a time, and ask for changes in plain words, such as “make it 6 inches shorter” or “add a shelf”. The cut list and shopping list update to match the new design.
Questions about this plan
How much lumber do I need to build this potting bench?
The shopping list calls for 2 × 2x4 at 8 ft; 1 × 1x6 at 8 ft; 5 × 1x4 at 8 ft; 2 × 1x3 at 8 ft. It groups every cut onto standard board lengths and leaves room for saw cuts and trimming the board ends.
How big is the finished potting bench?
It is 46″ wide, 52″ tall, and 20″ deep.
What tools do I need?
You need a tape measure, pencil, speed square, eye & ear protection, drill, miter saw, clamps, sander.
Can I change the size of this potting bench?
Yes. Open the potting bench in the TimberLab app and describe the change in plain words, such as “make it 6 inches shorter”. The 3D model, cut list, and shopping list update together.
Where can I get the full potting bench plan?
The full plan, with every cut length and all 7 assembly steps in 3D, is free in the TimberLab app. Download TimberLab on the App Store and open the potting bench in its catalog.
