A 4 ft potting bench at 36 in, with a lower shelf, a back, a top shelf and a lip.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
48 x 24 inSize
36 in work, 72 in totalHeight
4 to 6 hrBuild time
$133.70Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
2
2x4
72
Back leg
runs up to the top shelf
1
2x4
50
Lip
on edge, front lip
1
2x4
41
Top rail front
on edge, between the legs
1
2x4
41
Shelf rail front
on edge, between the legs
1
2x4
41
Top rail back
on edge, between the legs
1
2x4
41
Shelf rail back
on edge, between the legs
1
2x4
41
Top shelf rail
on edge
2
2x4
35 1/4
Front leg
1
2x4
17
Top end left
on edge
1
2x4
17
Shelf end left
on edge
1
2x4
17
Top end right
on edge
1
2x4
17
Shelf end right
on edge
Cut list: sheet goods
Part
Stock
Size
Note
Top
3/4 ply
50 x 24
cut to 50 x 24
Lower shelf
3/4 ply
41 x 21
cut to fit
Top shelf
3/4 ply
41 x 10
10 in deep, cut from the offcut
Back
1/2 ply
48 x 24
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 8 ft
Top rail front 41Front leg 1 35 1/4Top end left 17
2x4 x 8 ft
Shelf rail front 41Front leg 2 35 1/4Shelf end left 17
2x4 x 8 ft
Lip 50Top rail back 41
2x4 x 8 ft
Back leg 1 72Top end right 17
2x4 x 8 ft
Back leg 2 72Shelf end right 17
2x4 x 8 ft
Shelf rail back 41Top shelf rail 41
Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out
Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ftSheet 2: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Shopping list $133.70 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x8 stud, SPF
Home Depot
6
$4.15
$24.90
see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$32.26
$32.26
see sheet cutting diagrams
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$46.57
$46.57
see sheet cutting diagrams
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Total before tax
$133.70
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Cut the four legs (the back two to 72 in), the rails and the plywood pieces.
Screw the front and back rails between the legs at 8 in and 31 in, on edge, then the end rails.
Screw the lower shelf onto its rails and the top onto the upper rails.
Screw the back plywood to the back legs and the top, and the top shelf rail and shelf at 60 in.
Screw the lip along the front of the top to hold in soil. Drill a 1 in hole in the top for sweeping soil into a bucket.
Before you start
A 36 in work surface is a good height for potting standing up. A lip keeps the soil on the bench.
Keep a bucket of soil under the bench and the pots on the lower shelf. Seal the top with deck sealer, because wet soil rots plywood.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.