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Re-Purposed Work Bench to Potting Table

ByJennifer
53 Comments
Vintage workbenches have so many uses! I’ve used mine as not only a kitchen island, but also as a potting table. This was my grandpa’s work bench.   It was an old butcher table that he used for years and years. I know it’s at least 60 years old if not more. Even though he died when I was around 10 years old, it stayed with everything else in my gram’s house till she passed at age 98 just a few years ago. We finally brought it home,and even though I didn’t need a work bench, I do need  a potting table.
A wooden work bench to potting table holds potted plants, glass jars, gardening tools, and an old window frame against a white paneled wall.

 

We placed it on the north side of our home, so it would have the least amount of exposure to the elements as possible and no direct sunlight at all. It was the perfect height to be able to repot all of my plants on, and keep a lot of my gardening supplies.  Somethings about using a workbench as a potting table. 1. Make sure the top is waterproof 2. Make sure to reseal the wood every year.
A vintage work bench repurposed as a potting table holds an array of plants in clay pots, with glass jars nestled beneath and gardening tools neatly arranged on top, all set against a crisp white wall.
 It  has great rustic wood. A friend of ours is going to cover the top with metal for us, then I won’t worry about the dirt  or weather, and it will be easy to clean. I love how the plants look with the wood.
Six empty, dusty glass jars are lined up on a wooden shelf next to a large, empty terracotta flower pot, hinting at a work bench soon to be transformed into a potting table.
 I have all of my aunt’s old pickle jars on the bottom; she used to use them as cloches in early spring. They are also great for starting route cuttings all year round even indoors. I love that they were so inventive as to how they gardened using the resources they had. I am so thankful to have these things they used to use. I make sure to keep them out of the sun so they don’t start a fire since glass and sunlight don’t mix.
Several small terracotta pots with green plants are arranged on a wooden table, transformed from a work bench to potting table; some plants are under a glass cloche, with leafy greens in the background.
A metal basket cradles small potted herbs and leafy greens, while gardening gloves rest on a vintage work bench repurposed as a potting table. Terracotta pots add a rustic flair to the background.
 I bought this vintage bottle carrier at the flea last summer and filled it with my herb starts ready to be potted. I didn’t really have an indoor use for it, but it’s perfect to hold my seedlings and ready-to-plants.
A terracotta pot with green moss growing inside is in focus, set on a vintage workbench repurposed as a potting table. More empty terracotta pots are blurred in the background.
 I love just  a bit of moss in a pot of texture. Luckily our patio grows plenty of free moss so I thought it would be so cute to add a bit of green.
A group of terracotta pots, some filled with green plants and moss, are arranged on a work bench to potting table, with a few empty or stacked pots among them.
 It’s still a few weeks until our last frost date, so I am chomping at the bit to get things in the ground so they can get growing.
A potted plant with green leaves sits beside a wooden shelf on a garden bed, supported by concrete blocks. Above, an empty pot rests on a vintage workbench repurposed as a potting table, adding charm to the scene.
I can’t wait to put this basil in from the farmers market. I just couldn’t resist it even though I have to bring it  and my seedlings in every night. It just smelled so good! I am jealous of all of you who already have garden season at full speed!
Jen
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53 Comments

  1. I love the bench! Everything you have on it looks wonderful! I am sure your grandpa would be so happy that you have given it new life!

    ~Dan~

  9. What a great use for a special item! I love your potting bench. And I love all of the pots and jars that you’re using. Beautiful!!

  11. What an excellent way to repurpose a special piece of furniture. It looks lovely, the way you set it up. Have fun using it 🙂

  12. Such a great bench and all the more special since it’s a family piece. Your photos look just like a magazine shoot. They make me long to go out and work in the garden. 🙂

  23. i know what you mean! my tulips aren’t even open yet. my peonies are coming up and the lilac bushes finally have leaves. i can’t wait for the sun to shine and it to be warm enough to plant my herbs and things! have a great week Jen!! susan

  27. I am so with you at “the chomping at the bit” thing. I am also lugging flowers and stuff in and out every night because we are still so cold.
    I love your new/old potting bench and especially because it’s from your grandparents. I want a potting bench but looking for the right one.
    ~Shanon

  28. Oh my goodness, I love this work bench turned potting bench. It looks like some thing from the pages of “Country Living”! What I really love is that it was your Grandfathers. Great idea Jen!

  29. Hey your right…we are on the same wave length! It must be spring fever. Love your bench and it will be awesome with a zinc top! Also love all your old pickle jars! 🙂

  30. Jenn!
    I love this vignette.
    How sweet is that to have your Grandfather’s work bench and to use it for your potting table? Your aunt’s jars look so great underneath.
    Would love to have this behind my garage. Great post. Great pictures, as always!
    xox
    See you in a couple weeks!
    Alison 🙂

  31. LOVE this. Awesome as a potting bench and love how you have it all dolled up. Looks like it is straight out of a high end magazine! 🙂

    c

  35. Your bench is very special, not only super cute but with special history.
    I’ve been looking for one for ages but no luck yet.
    Enjoy your bench, you’ve done a great job keeping it beautiful.

    Sylvia

  49. oh my gosh jen. that is amazing. i see those all the time and just wish to have one. it is perfect as a potting bench. plus it has such meaning for you. hope you had a great mother’s day.

  52. Pingback: Make your own moss filled containers….
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