A Charming Garden Bench

Landscape designer Deborah Kuchar of Big Time Gardening designed a redwood bench and planter combo that fit in well with Hamilton's rustic redwood house, as well as the woodsy side yard. She says that placing a bench in an enclosed setting buffered by trees or landscaping creates a feel of seclusion or intimacy, but this bench would work just as well in an open area overlooking a focal point. Her design includes a natural pebble base for the bench, surrounded by plants, lush greenery and cedar mulch.

Kuchar estimates that a professional would charge about $1,500 for materials and labor (not including plants), but do-it-yourselfers could cut their costs to only $300. This project, which requires basic carpentry skills, is rated a 3 on a difficulty scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult) and can be completed in two weekends.

Master Carpenter Tim Rice of Rice Construction says you'll need a circular saw, jigsaw, saber saw, biscuit joiner and router--all available for rent at hardware stores--to build the bench/planter combo.

Step One: Building the Frames

Add a 2x4 cut to 27 inches to form the inner edge of the frame. Notch the ends of the planks with a biscuit joiner, and fit the pieces together with biscuit joints. Use a measuring tape anchored with a nail in the middle of the 2x4 to draw the outer arch with an 11-1/4" radius. Draw the inner arch 2 inches in from the outer arch. Cut along the lines with a jigsaw. Piece the frame together by joining the pieces with wood glue and drive in 3-inch galvanized screws. Figure D shows a completed frame.

Use the first frame as a template for marking the inner and outer arches of the other bottom frame and the two redwood top frames. Complete the other frames as you did the first frame.

Step Two: Building the Shelves

Attach each bottom frame to 1" x 6" redwood planks cut to 16 inches long, using galvanized screws. Also attach the top frames. Set the shelves at the desired height (about 9 inches down from the top frame). Drill screws through the back of the planters into the shelves to hold them in place (figure F).

To enclose the planter frame and shelf, use top-grade, all-heart, kiln-dried 1" x 3" redwood slats, which will last forever (available for $1 per foot). Screw the slats to the outside of each planter. Cut and build redwood caps in the same way that you made the frames and screw them to the top of the planters. Finish the edges of the caps using a router. Figure G shows the completed planters.

Step Three: Constructing the Bench

For this two- by four-foot bench, set up a simple rectangular frame using 2" x 6" redwood planks, with supporting planks in the middle spaced 16 inches apart. Drill 3-inch screws to attach all the planks. For the seat, place 1" x 3" redwood slats on top of the frame, using an 8-penny mail as a spacer between slats. Using screws, fasten the slats to the frame. Round out the edges of the bench seat with a router for a finished look.

Prepare the bench site by removing any low-hanging branches and rake the surface level. Stake a 2x4 into the ground to contain the pebble base. Rake out a couple of inches of landscaping pebbles for a comfortable, stable base. Add a light layer of cedar bark mulch around the base and surrounding area.

Planting: Beneath the Trees

If you place your bench beneath big shady trees, be careful when planting near their roots. Kuchar chose plants that are low maintenance and shade tolerant and highlighted the bench with color and texture--flowers in vivid pinks and plants with trailing white blooms. Plants for the surrounding area amidst the trees have variegated foliage and unusual forms for added interest, set off by a few large stones to complement the wooded setting. Kuchar's planting plan included: