–Whether you’re a horticultural goddess or a botanical novice, you’ll want the perfect gardening companion to share the (wheelbarrow) load and assist you as you plant up your way to beautiful borders and beds. And that's where our best potting benches can help.
They’re not just for potting up, either. Featuring storage a-plenty, from handy hooks for hanging up trowels and forks, to drawers where you can put away your gloves and ‘soil-catcher’ sinks, a potting bench provides a dream bunch of practical solutions and saves your fancy garden dining table from getting covered in a shower of soil.
Related: Best garden benches – wood, metal and cushioned designs with and without storage
Designs crafted from quality woods like cedar, spruce and eucalyptus naturally withstand moisture and sunlight, making them durable choices for outdoor or shed workstations. While metal designs can age to a beautiful rustic finish.
So why not take a potter through our round-up of tool-friendly and workspace-savvy designs...
Best potting benches 2024
Why you can trust Ideal Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Make sowing seeds a thing of therapeutic joy with this specially designed schoolmaster. Crafted from responsibly sourced, sustainable spruce, it displays a hard wearing zinc worktop and all the necessities to make it the ultimate gardening wingman. Enjoy it’s gentle charm in your garden shed or greenhouse for years to come...
Buy now: Aldsworth potting table, £300, by Garden Trading at John Lewis & Partners
Keep this solid hardwood design outside to tackle plants one step closer to your garden. Featuring a high back and sides to prevent compost from going overboard, it’s thoughtful nature also gives a small shelf for popping tools or pots on whilst at work and a lower shelf for plants, seed trays and all manner of outdoorsy bits and bobs.
Buy now: Florenity potting table in Verdi/Grigio, £129, Norfolk Leisure at Hayes Garden World
Small enough to nestle into most outdoor nooks or sheds, this nifty number has a top and base shelf for extra storage, as well as tool hooks on each side for easy accessibility. Made from FSC-certified acacia wood with a lovely natural finish.
Buy now: Wide wooden potting bench col Natural, £129.99, Crocus
Slot this distressed-finish lovely into your greenhouse or shed for a pop of practical character. You’ll find a full slatted shelf on the bottom – perfect for storing compost and empty pots, in addition to three super-useful drawers for twine, scissors and plant tags.
Buy now: Potting bench with drawers col Grey, £145, Hicks & Hicks
The true hoard-it-all hero, this generous model benefits from two drawers – one specifically to house loose soil. There's also a galvanised sheet metal top for potting up plants; and hooks each side for hanging tools and accessories. For the finale, the lower shelf is the ideal spot for larger items such as watering cans, planters and trays.
Buy now: Moreton spruce potting bench, £280, Garden Trading
Combining a work table, zinc soil container and a slatted shelf, you’ll have ample elbow space to potter with pots! Raised to an ideal height on four feet, attend to essential gardening tasks without having to kneel down in the dirt!
Buy now: Garden potting table in Grey/Cream, £119.99, Primrose
A galvanised metal worktop offers space a-plenty for a variety of garden tools. Make repotting flowers and herbs a back-friendly activity thanks to a most comfortable worktop height and let green fingers get busy filling three handy drawers…
Buy now: Creedmoor table, £73.99, by Sol 72 Outdoor at Wayfair
Take us to the She Shed – let’s get things blooming and growing!
-
Can I use a patio heater under a pergola or gazebo? Yes, but these are the things experts want you to know firstIt's possible, but you need to take some precautions
-
Experts reveal running your washing machine at this time can save on your energy bills - but it all depends on your tariffDid you know certain times of the day are cheaper than others?
-
Can you sleep with an electric blanket on? Five things to consider before sleeping with an electric blanketThe expert advice you need to follow
-
Can I use a patio heater under a pergola or gazebo? Yes, but these are the things experts want you to know first
It's possible, but you need to take some precautions
-
How to get your garden ready for winter – 8 tasks to add to your list before the first frost arrivesGet your garden into gear before temperatures drop
-
How often should you sweep a patio? Experts reveal how often you should be getting your broom out over winterThis vital job will keep you busy over the winter
-
The best mulch for vegetable gardens if you want a happy and thriving cropFrom straw to leaf mould, these are the very best ingredients for mulching your vegetable garden with.
-
When to lift dahlia tubers - the tell-tale signs you need to start lifting, according to expertsTiming is everything for these tender perennials
-
Experts are urging homeowners to grow moss in pots to get rid of dust and moisture over winter - this is how to do itMoss is Mother Nature’s free air purifier
-
How to style outdoor fairy lights like Nigella Lawson – the secret to her whimsical garden setupWe're in love with this magical garden look
-
How to prune dogwoods for brightly-coloured stems year after yearDogwoods are one of the best ways to transform your garden. So, how best to prune them?
