My Summer Potting Bench

Elizabeth & Co.

Each month this summer I've been inspired by The Garden Party over at Elizabeth & Co. to go outside and photograph something in my yard to share.  

This month I've chosen my potting bench.

 My raised vegetable beds (just visible in the bottom corner of this picture) are on one side of our yard, and the garden shed is around the corner on the other side. I asked my husband to build me a potting bench for the veggie side where I could store my garden tools closer at hand during the summer.

 He modeled it after ones I found on Pinterest made out of pallet wood and added some old fence pickets, a couple of 2 x 4's from the lumber store, and some chicken wire we already had.  It's been really handy (and fun to decorate, too.)

 On one side I put my old faux-painted milk can and my cute rustic flowerpot man that I made following Debbie's tutorial over at Confessions of a Plate Addict.

 On the other side my bulb planter hangs on some cast iron frog hooks.

These tin containers are stacked below waiting to hold succulents. I'll get around to drilling holes in the funnels for hanging up one of these days.

 Up on top are a few chrysanthemums waiting to go into my big front porch pots for fall, along with a birdhouse and some bunting.

 I bought the bright blue birdhouse at the craft store last summer for 75% off.

 The bunting is made from vintage seed packet art I found online and printed onto card stock. I glued them onto rectangles of fringed burlap using spray adhesive, punched holes, and strung them onto some twine. I love seed packet art and seed catalog covers.

  I use the middle work surface for potting flowers.

 I can't believe it's almost time to plant my fall flowers! Where did the summer go?

 I found these pretty clay pots at thrift stores for less than a dollar each. I can't decide whether to gesso them.

 My favorite garden tools are hanging from a rusty old rake head, easy to find.

 The bottom shelf is for storage.

 I keep garden stakes in a galvanized bucket that held a hydrangea on my front porch last year. (My French label tutorial can be found here.) 

 And new perennials waiting to go in the ground. 

 I fell in love with this delicate lacy one.

 Next year I'll be adding a small perennial cutting garden to part of my vegetable beds.

 Tucker had to wait on the other side of the garden gate today while I took photos of the potting bench. He wanted to be in every picture.

He doesn't like to be away from my side for even a moment, but he's been waiting here and patiently watching me.

I hope you'll join Tucker and me over at Sharon's for the Elizabeth & Co. August Garden Party now. I'm so honored my new yard was  featured from last month's party. While you're over there, be sure to check out Sharon's incredible garden, gorgeous painted furniture, and the wonderful Be Inspired link party and features, too. Seriously, this girl does it all! 

Elizabeth & Co.

See you there!

This week I'm also having a ton of fun at these fabulous parties:

Savvy Southern Style 

City Farmhouse 

Our Home Away From Home
Clean & Scentsible 
Ella Claire 
Yellow Bliss Road
Coastal Charm 
Cozy Little House  
 Mod Vintage Life
Stone Gable
From My Front Porch To Yours
Elizabeth & Co.
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Rooted In Thyme 
Common Ground 
French Country Cottage
Jennifer Rizzo 
My Repurposed Life 
Craftberry Bush 
My Romantic Home
Shabby Art Boutique 
The Charm of Home  
The Cottage Market 
The Shabby Nest 
Green Willow Pond
Funky Junk Interiors  
DIY Showoff
Craftberry Bush 
Knick Of Time