For anyone that enjoys the hobby of gardening, a potting shed is ranked high on the list of "Must haves" outside in the back yard. Having a potting shed not only gives you a work station to work at, it gives you and your plants a secure place from the elements as you plant. A simple structure that will allow you many seasons of protection and solitude. The two together combine to make your garden experience a special treat.

A potting shed is pretty simple to make and depending on the amount of plants you have, will determine how big you need it to be. Those of us that have taken rides in to the country to buy fresh produce, have noticed the little produce huts that are set up along the side of the road. Open and airy, yet secure in appearance. These shelters are ideal to get ideas on a nice potting shed for the home if you have the space.

A little hut with fold up and down windows give the shed a cool place to work and process the plants and vegetables into pots. Then when you are done, all you have to do is shut all the window shudders and doors to keep your work station safe from wind and the elements outside. A potting shed allows your seedlings to mature and sprout to the size needed for planting out side in your garden.

A comfortable fit behind your house will depend on the amount of space you have to work with. The sheds dimensions should be on the design of a eight foot by sixteen foot base or foundation. This will allow plenty of room to work from. Storage and shelving can be added after the frame work and skin to the shed have been applied.

Steps to take in your design:

1) Measure the lay out in your back yard. Try to find a place that drains water well away from the shed. Mark lines with spray paint, where you will lay the foundation.

2) Determine how big you want your shed to be. Draw a blue print on how you want the appearance of your shed to look. Keeping it rustic in appearance will make it a focal point and conversation piece when friends and family visit.

3) Gather the appropriate articles of wood and fasteners you will need. Like four sixteen foot two by fours. Thirty, eight foot two by fours and ten pieces of 3/4 inch 4x8 sheets of plywood. Four pieces of tin galvinized roofing, preferably the eight foot by four foot sheets.

4) Two and a half inch self tapping wood or dry wall screws. You can determine the lengths and widths of your shelves after you are done with the shed.

5) Determine whether you want to stain or paint your shed and have your materials on hand.

6) Prepare your foundation with either concrete or a set wood foundation. Make sure the foundation is level before starting the frame work. Decide on the pitch of the roof for adequate water shed during inclement weather.

7) Make sure you have heavy duty hinges for the doors and shudders of the shed. Latches to hold the window shudders up out of the way with a cut length of 1x2 strip of wood for back up.

A potting shed can be a big asset to your property and a valuable commodity as a place to do your gardening hobby. A good weekend project for the do it yourself. A job for any weekend handy man or woman to do and take pride in.

Learn more about this author, Rex Coker.
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