Best Of Birmingham – A Potting Bench For Us Guys

I have long wanted a potting bench. One that would allow me a central location for all my stacks of pots, soil, tools, amendments and maybe, just maybe a dirt drawer.  Today’s routine is something like this: Enter the garage, search for a pot among the stacks. Search for the bag of potting mix. Not the store bought one, but the one I mixed up last week. Then, where’s my trowel? Frustration ensues. You get the picture. Gardening is supposed to be fun, right?

I have long given up on being able to construct one myself. I can never remember “cut twice, measure once..” is that how that goes? So, I enlisted the help of a local carpenter. Russell Schollian is a local carpenter/weekend warrior who makes upcycled wood projects with amazing results.

Our carpenter, Russell with his creation

The Design Idea:
I wanted a rustic potting bench, to be left outdoors in our side garden. Preferably made from recycled wooden pallets. I wanted a potting bench that was a good height; to save the aching back. One that had a good sized shelf below for pot storage, that elusive dirt drawer and a place to store my essential potting tools. I had seen one online one that I liked and I sent him a link and asked him if this was possible. He said “no problem”.

The Result:

In less than 7 days, he produced an outstanding rustic potting bench for my garden.

Look y’all! It even has a dirt drawer.

 

I was super pleased with the outcome and could not wait to get it home. Some folks are just naturally skilled in this area and I am glad to have sound someone in my neck of the woods that does outstanding work.

With Spring underway, I very quickly put this bench to work as we began potting up many containers for the blooms season ahead.

The Conclusion:
Could I have just ordered one of these online from a large retailer? Yes, but I am a firm believer in supporting local enterprise and those who use their skills to meet needs.
That’s what makes a small businesses successful.  I needed a potting bench, and he had the skills and ability to make that happen right where I live. It’s a win win situation.

If you live in Alabama and need a top quality rustic potting bench for your gardening needs, give Russell a shout.  His phone # is 205-514-4241. He’ll be glad to talk to you about building a bench for you or maybe other projects you have in mind. He is very easy to work with.

You can count me as one happy gardener this Spring. Roses are blooming, I have a new potting bench and I rest in the knowledge that gardening success can be achieved for us guys after all.

Our garden this morning – 04/17/2016

 Happy Spring! What’s blooming in your neck of the woods this week?