Plant benches

[terrestrial_man]

Currently I use wood for my benches: 2x4s and slats but I am thinking of going with something more durable in the long run. There are lots of possibilities but I thought I throw this out just in case what I have in mind is not really the best. Any ideas?

[HDCochran]

If you're seeking durable and very inexpensive benches, recycled plastic bench tops with open grids can be purchased for about $12 for a 24"x48" from nuresery supppliers, for example;

A-V Lifetime Bench Systems

These can be mounted on stacked cement blocks.

[justatypn]

Wood is a good idea, short lived noting the wet conditions, closet shelves is a good idea as well but if not totally plastic coated the metal will rust an duration will be limited as well. Plastic (hard) is a great option as well as galvanized metal shelving. Plastic is cheaper unless you can come across a company that has metal shelving, galvanized or plastic will be more forgiving than wood or closet shelving.

[terrestrial_man]

Wow thanks for the great ideas!
The recycled plastic tops look great! And price wise very attractive. Gots lots of figuring to do.

[Alexis in Redland]

I use PT 2x4s for the frame, and metal hardware cloth for the top. Stapled tight to the frame, it's a perfect surface for potted plants. The best part, the roots don't attach to the metal. If they want to, they can grow through, but the pot can be easily moved without breaking roots.

It's a pretty inexpensive solution, but the benches last quite a while, even in a very wet climate like we have in South Florida. As a matter of fact, an orchid nursery around the block from me just went out of business, and I scavanged about 6 benches from their trash pile. After I take a pressure washer to them, they'll be good as new. And I bet they were in use for more than 10 years.

[tunachris]

I grow outdoors under shadecloth, in the summer I have misters going off every couple hours for just a few minutes. I built my benchs out of redwood 2X4's with 1X3's on top as slatted benchs. They have held up for 4 years so far with no problems. Redwood is nice because it won't rot if wet, and is pest free.

I don't know how cheap or available redwood is in other parts of the country, but it is fairly inexpensive in Cal.

[larrylmt]

for my bench i use a 3 tier shelving unit that i purchased at target for about $30. i wrapped shade cloth around the 2 lower shelves (good for phal).