Smith And Hawken Potting Bench

Are you an avid gardener looking for the ideal potting bench to help organize your tools and provide a sturdy workspace for starting seeds and transplanting plants? Search no further than the Smith and Hawken potting bench, which offers superior craftsmanship, weather-resistant durability, and ample storage options.

This comprehensive buying guide will provide key information to consider when purchasing a Smith and Hawken potting bench so you can determine if it’s the right fit for your gardening needs. We’ll cover the range of available features, materials used, assembly, dimensions, storage options, durability, maintenance, accessories, and more – plus provide an overview of customer reviews and prices.

Smith and Hawken Potting Bench Features

The hallmark feature of Smith and Hawken’s potting benches is the beautiful wood construction made of either teak or eucalyptus lumber. Teak is naturally weather-resistant while eucalyptus is treated to withstand outdoor conditions. Both offer a handsome, high-end look.

The potting benches provide a spacious work surface ideal for starting seeds, repotting plants, arranging flowers, and garden tool organization. This work space is often made of wood or zinc-coated steel.

Storage options vary by model but can include cabinets, drawers, shelves, hooks, and bins to keep all your potting supplies neatly organized yet easily accessible.

The benches are designed with durability in mind with sturdy mortise and tenon joinery and heavy-duty hardware. Wheels provide mobility to move them around your patio or yard.

High-Quality Materials

Smith and Hawken uses only premium materials selected for beauty, strength, and weather-resistance:

• Teak wood: Naturally weather-resistant teak has a beautiful golden brown color that weathers to silvery grey. Its high oil content prevents rotting.
• Eucalyptus lumber: Eucalyptus wood is sustainably harvested. It’s treated to be weather-resistant outdoor while retaining its appealing natural grain patterns.
• Powder-coated steel: Durable powder-coated steel is used for shelving, surfaces, hardware, and accessories. It’s rust-resistant and easy to keep clean.
• Zinc-coated steel: The zinc coating on steel surfaces provides extra protection from rusting and corrosion.

These high-end materials ensure your potting bench will last for many gardening seasons.

Easy Assembly

Smith and Hawken potting benches arrive with all the hardware and components needed for assembly. The benches are designed for straightforward assembly using basic tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, and possibly a rubber mallet.

Clear photographic instruction manuals walk you through each step of the process. Assembly can usually be accomplished within 30-90 minutes depending on the bench style. The modular designs with interchangeable parts allow you to customize your configuration.

Built to Withstand Outdoor Conditions

Every component of the Smith and Hawken potting benches are made to withstand full exposure to sun, rain, snow, and other outdoor conditions.

The weather-resistant wood will not crack, splinter, or rot when left outside year-round. The benches do not require covering or moving indoors for winter storage.

Rust-resistant steel surfaces and hardware ensure the bench won’t corrode after seasons of use. The powder-coated finishes prevent rusting and peeling.

You can feel confident your investment will last for many years on your patio, porch, or yard.

Rave Customer Reviews

The Smith and Hawken potting bench earns outstanding reviews for its premium quality construction, versatility, storage options, and handsome styling.

Customers consistently mention the benches are extremely well-made using substantial, durable materials able to withstand years of frequent use. They love having a sturdy, organized workspace and storage for all their potting, planting, and gardening supplies.

Many reviewers mention the high-end look blends beautifully into their outdoor living space. The potting benches add both visual appeal and valuable functionality. Several remarked their bench looked like new after 3-5 years outside

Negative feedback is very minimal. A few customers noted minor issues with split wood likely due to climate extremes or product shipping and handling. Smith and Hawken promptly resolved any concerns.

Price Range

As a high-quality premium product, expect to invest $250-$1,000 for a Smith and Hawken potting bench.

The entry-level options start around $250-$400. For this price, you’ll get a basic work table made of eucalyptus and a lower storage shelf.

Mid-range models cost $400-$700. These feature larger work surfaces, enclosed cabinets, multiple shelves, and more storage options. Most popular potting bench styles fall within this price tier.

High-end benches run $700-$1,000. These expansive designs offer ample workspace and plentiful storage with large cabinets and multiple shelves. The top-tier benches are made of gorgeous teak wood.

Durable Construction

Every aspect of the Smith and Hawken potting benches is designed for maximum strength, stability, and durability.

Joints use traditional mortise and tenon construction and are secured with weather-resistant hardware. This time-tested woodworking technique provides superior stability compared to nails or screws alone.

The wood and steel components are thick and substantial. You won’t find any flimsy materials prone to buckling or warping.

Powder-coated steel provides a tough, protective finish able to withstand sun exposure, moisture, and heavy use without chipping or peeling.

These well-built benches can handle all your potting, planting, and organizing needs for gardening season after gardening season.

Storage Options to Fit Every Need

Stay organized with the array of smart storage options available. Find a bench with the right amount and configuration of shelves, cabinets, drawers, and hooks to store all your potting supplies.

Open shelving allows you to grab pots, trowels, gloves and other necessities quickly. Deep shelves provide ample space for bulky bags of soil and containers.

Enclosed cabinets with doors keep items neatly tucked out of sight but easily accessible. Great for stashing clutter you don’t need regular access to.

Drawers are perfect for small tools, seed packets, tags, twine, and other potting accessories you use frequently. Customize with removable dividers.

Hooks mounted on the sides or back hang garden hoses, hand pruners, aprons, and hats within reach.

With all your supplies organized at arm’s length, you’ll save time and frustration.

Ideal Dimensions

The main work surface ranges from about 3-6 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep. This provides ample space for most potting, transplanting, and garden task needs.

The standard work height is typically around 36 inches, similar to a kitchen countertop. This reduces back strain from bending over.

Benches range from 4-8 feet long to accommodate storage needs. Compact 4 foot benches work well for small patios. Larger 8 foot designs maximize storage.

Wheels make it easy to maneuver even the biggest benches. When needed, lock the wheels in place to prevent rolling.

Measure your space carefully to ensure you get the right sized bench. Add a folding side extension for extra temporary workspace.

Low-Maintenance

Smith and Hawken potting benches need minimal maintenance thanks to their weather-resistant woods and finishes. But proper care will keep them looking their best.

Each season, clean away dirt and debris using a soft brush and mild soap and water. Avoid harsh cleaners. Allow the wood to dry completely before sealing or storing.

Replenish outdoor wood sealant annually. Teak oil helps preserve teak benches. Use rustproof spray paint to touch up any scratches on metal surfaces.

Periodically check and tighten hardware if needed. Lubricate wheels and hardware. Cover or move indoors if experiencing extreme weather.

With basic care, your potting bench will provide a beautiful focal point and productive potting station for your garden for many years.

Perfect for Indoor or Outdoor Use

The versatile Smith and Hawken potting bench works wonderfully both outdoors and indoors.

Outside, it provides a convenient potting area right where you need it – in the garden. The weather-resistant materials are designed to live outdoors year-round through any weather conditions.

Placing it in a covered area like a porch will provide added protection.

Inside your home, the potting bench brings organization to a basement or laundry room for winter potting sessions. The handsome styling even allows using it as a decorative furniture piece in living areas or sunrooms.

Wherever you decide to place your Smith and Hawken potting bench, it will provide an invaluable and beautiful addition.

Sales and Discounts

While Smith and Hawken potting benches are sold at full retail price through the company’s website and catalog, you can often find them discounted at other retailers.

The benches are sometimes offered at 10-15% off during seasonal sales at stores like Wayfair, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart.

Third party sellers on Amazon and eBay also provide periodic discounts, especially for floor models or scratch and dent items.

Used benches in good condition can provide big savings, often selling for 50% or more below retail. Check local listings on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Sign up for retailer mailing lists for notifications about sales and promotions. The best selection and deepest discounts will be around holiday weekends.

Product Warranty

Smith and Hawken provides a limited 1-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

The warranty covers repair or replacement of any components found to be defective. Customers are responsible for providing proof of purchase and photos of the damage.

Normal wear and tear, misuse, improper maintenance, and acts of nature are excluded from the warranty. Wood may split slightly due to weather extremes.

Reviews indicate Smith and Hawken provides good customer service for resolving any issues promptly. Consider registering your warranty for quicker help.

Optional Accessories

Take your potting bench capabilities to the next level with handy optional accessories from Smith and Hawken.

–Wheeled side trays: Add removable trays perfect for holding seed packets, small tools, and other potting necessities.

–Hanging wire baskets: Mount underneath for extra storage of gloves, spray bottles, and hand tools within easy reach.

–Side hooks: Provide handy space to hang hoses, watering cans, aprons, and more along the bench sides.

–Storage covers: Help protect your bench from sun, rain, and snow when not in use.

–Casters: Replace stationary legs with casters to make heavier benches easy to move.

–Lights: Install battery-operated or solar lights underneath cabinets to brighten your workspace at night.

How It Compares

Smith and Hawken potting benches consistently earn top marks compared to big box store brands and other high-end bench manufacturers.

Key advantages include:

• Superior weather resistance from quality teak and eucalyptus woods
• Greater durability from thicker, sturdier components
• More refined, elegant styling with finer woodworking
• Broader selection of styles, sizes, features and options
• Much larger storage capacity with bigger cabinet space
• Multi-functional designs well-suited for crafts, laundry, storage, and decor

For a potting bench built to last that looks beautiful, Smith and Hawken delivers outstanding quality.

Spacious Work Surface

Having a large, sturdy work surface makes potting and gardening tasks much easier and more efficient. Smith and Hawken benches provide ideal workspace.

The main table area provides generous space for arranging containers, soil bags, plants waiting for transplanting and other supplies.

The deep work table design lets you spread out without items sliding off easily. Built-in tool hooks keep trowels and pruners within quick reach.

Optional side trays or fold-down side extensions create temporary extra workspace that can be added when needed.

The benches also make great surfaces for flower arranging, plant grooming, and defoliating bulbs.

Maneuverability

Built-in wheels, casters, or optional rolling trays allow you to move loaded potting benches around your patio with ease. This allows you to follow the shade or sunlight and change your working position.

Locking wheels or feet keep the bench stationary when parked. Benches without built-in mobility can be retrofitted with casters or wheeled trays.

If your bench will live in one location, choose stationary legs. Wheels work best for changing location seasonally or as worksite needs change.

Maneuverability also helps bring plants in and out of your garage or shed for overwintering care and storage.

Style and Finish Options

Select from a range of potting bench styles to match your space:

Classic: Traditional designs made from teak or eucalyptus with lower shelf storage. Timeless styling.

Utility: Focus on function with zinc-coated steel surfaces and multiple cabinet spaces. Wheels for mobility.

Modern: Sleek contemporary look with clean lines and lateral shelf storage. Made from wood, steel, or bamboo.

Country: Weathered, distressed wood finishes give a chic worn vintage feel. Combine with galvanized metal.

Space-saving: Compact narrow designs squeeze into tight spaces with fold-down work surfaces. Great for small patios.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Smith and Hawken uses sustainably harvested FSC-certified eucalyptus lumber hand-picked to avoid wasting wood.

Eucalyptus trees grow rapidly and are selectively thinned from plantations to promote healthy forests. The wood is grown and harvested in Brazil.

Teak is sourced from reputable suppliers and hand-selected for the best grain patterns and coloration.

Look for benches made without harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, PVC, or toxic glues. Water-based finishes avoid VOCs.

Cleaning and Care

A few basic maintenance steps will keep your Smith and Hawken potting bench looking pristine.

• Rinse away dirt after each use with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh cleaners that can damage the wood or finishes.
• Allow the bench to dry completely before sealing, storing, or covering. Never cover a damp bench.
• Apply fresh sealant each spring to protect wood from moisture and mildew. Teak oil works well for teak.
• Touch up paint scrapes immediately to avoid rusting. Wipe metal surfaces down routinely.
• Tighten hardware and lubricate wheels/casters annually. Repair scratches. Watch for splintering.
• Consider moving very large stationary benches onto a wheeled dolly to avoid dragging which can scratch wood.

Proper care will maintain your bench’s beauty and function for many gardening seasons.

Conclusion

From its gorgeously grained wood to heavy-duty steel hardware, Smith and Hawken potting benches are designed with the gardening enthusiast in mind. They provide sturdy, organized workspaces that are a joy to pot plants on for hours.

Choosing the right size, configuration, materials, and styling for your needs and budget will ensure your bench delivers lasting performance and storage. Care for it properly, and it will handsomely equip your garden for years to come.