Afew years ago, I designed and built this potting bench for Jonathan Wright, who is deputy director for Horticulture and Natural Resources at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and a professional gardener. He provided insight for what his ideal structure would be to support both gardening tasks and play. I say “play” here because the project’s galvanized steel soil bin can be washed out and used as an optional beverage cooler for entertaining. Jonathan has since used this bench as a bar for outdoor get-togethers.
You’ll notice in the opening photo that I’ve shaped the wide front apron and bottom shelf with a “wave” style edge to create a sense of visual movement. That same shape is repeated across the top of the bench’s slats by using a large template to cut and rout the slats from a glued-up blank. (You can learn more about making this “artisanal” top on page 40.) But all these curves aren’t necessary. Straightedged timber would also work for the front apron, top slats and shelf. That’s the version of the project shown in the on page 39. How artsy you want your bench to
