Creating Bonsai Shelving and Benches

[lieuz]

Having bought a place of my own now, I can finally do as I please! It was tough to do anything in my parents yard as I know all that stuff I build will have to come with me one day and that's too much work; so, I opted to not do anything. They did have a beautiful yard as it got morning sun and sheltered away from the hot afternoon sun. Since my house is a southern facing house, we always get amazing sun in the front which makes it ideal when we need to bring tropicals in for the winter. Our large floor to ceiling window makes an amazing space to place all sorts of vegetation. I have a small fenced in yard with a deck above. It doesn't yield much sunlight as theres probably 10 feet of exposed area where sunlight can reach. I enclosed a diagram of what is currently existing in the yard. There are a few obstacles I am facing here. If you note the diagram, the yard doesn't get much sun during the winter because the sun barely grazes the top of the fence. Not an issue since I'm not looking for much sunlight during the winter. However, there is a slight gradation sloping away from the brick pavement; it levels off when we get to the fence. The deck poses another problem, it has corrugated sheets screwed on the underside of the deck so when rain water pools it is directed away and onto the growing boxes to the side. As for space, the deck covers about 85% of the pavement below exposing about 2 feet of pavement and the rest of the green grass area. I have in mind creating something that is space efficient and also has an area where I could possibly display a few trees from time to time. I also need to keep in mind I need a possible winterizing area where I can mulch in my trees for the winter. I need to get measurements and get an accurate represenation of space above all else. Exciting times.

 

[lieuz]

This is by far one of the better ideas.

It's very amphitheater style and I do like it. I like it a lot more with possibly one of these nearby.

 

[Giga]

Double post

 

[lieuz]

Oh my apologies @Giga should this thread not be in here? If not, I didn't realize we had a stands section. Could I move this over there?

 

[GrimLore]

Exciting times.

Congratulations! Just make sure you take your time when planning. We had a few different hoses and properties over the years. This one is the last purchased in late 2013 and I have planned, changed, planned, over and over - might actually start the back yard in the Spring! Honest it is really hard as it is the smallest place we ever had so we just want it "right" the first time...

Grimmy

 

[lieuz]

Congratulations! Just make sure you take your time when planning. We had a few different hoses and properties over the years. This one is the last purchased in late 2013 and I have planned, changed, planned, over and over - might actually start the back yard in the Spring! Honest it is really hard as it is the smallest place we ever had so we just want it "right" the first time...

Grimmy

Tell me about it. My other possible growing area could be on the actual deck. But that poses more problems than the planning can answer. There's not very much natural shade on the deck and also watering maybe twice a day during the summer for some trees, I feel could take a toll on the deck wood I assume.

 

[rockm]

You've got much the same setup as my townhouse, except my backyard is southern facing. I've doubled up a display platform by digging a two foot deep hole underneath it that I use as a cold pit in the winter. The platform is covered in the summer by 1x4s which are placed on a rack in the winter to form a lean -- to roof over the pit.

The platform is eight by six feet that is built 2' 1/2 feet tall from the ground surface using 6" x 6" deck lumber, which means I've got about four feet of headroom to fit trees into the lean to in the winter.

I also use monkey pole platforms (which I made myself) I would plan on burying the bases of any poles at least two feet--three is better. The poles in your pic are pretty vulnerable to wind/animals/small children/drunken owners etc. I wouldn't trust a tree on one of those things.

I would NOT use the deck itself for bonsai. Aside from the wind issue--a tall fence and a platform closer to the ground are better in summer afternoon thunderstorms than deck railing and 10 foot falls to the ground. Constant twice a day or more watering will indeed cause you some issues with rot on boards down the road. Fertilizing complicates that even more as it will east through deck screws and brace joints. It is salt after all..

 

[Giga]

No I was saying awesome that you got your own place now! But it posted it twice when I hit post reply then corrected itself. Posting from my phone

 

[CWTurner]

I think your East and West are reversed.
Planning is good. Look it over, get it to where you like it, then put it away for a month or two and look at it fresh again.
CW

 

[lieuz]

I think your East and West are reversed.
Planning is good. Look it over, get it to where you like it, then put it away for a month or two and look at it fresh again.
CW

You're right it is reversed. I can't seem to fix it now darn it. Thank you for that advice! Definitely will be posting some renderings. I have my fiancee helping me because she too would very much like to be an active participant in the design.

 

[lieuz]

You've got much the same setup as my townhouse, except my backyard is southern facing. I've doubled up a display platform by digging a two foot deep hole underneath it that I use as a cold pit in the winter. The platform is covered in the summer by 1x4s which are placed on a rack in the winter to form a lean -- to roof over the pit.

The platform is eight by six feet that is built 2' 1/2 feet tall from the ground surface using 6" x 6" deck lumber, which means I've got about four feet of headroom to fit trees into the lean to in the winter.

I also use monkey pole platforms (which I made myself) I would plan on burying the bases of any poles at least two feet--three is better. The poles in your pic are pretty vulnerable to wind/animals/small children/drunken owners etc. I wouldn't trust a tree on one of those things.

I would NOT use the deck itself for bonsai. Aside from the wind issue--a tall fence and a platform closer to the ground are better in summer afternoon thunderstorms than deck railing and 10 foot falls to the ground. Constant twice a day or more watering will indeed cause you some issues with rot on boards down the road. Fertilizing complicates that even more as it will east through deck screws and brace joints. It is salt after all..

You described me to a T sir, drunken owners haha.

 

[GrimLore]

I have my fiancee helping me because she too would very much like to be an active participant in the design.

We also have a Townhouse as age slowly sets in smaller is better and for us having everything on one floor is great. Also it leaves the second floor for a nice private guest area. The garden areas front and back are indeed small but we are talking about small plants so it will all work out. At our house my Wife leaves the back area to my design and landscapes the front. In small areas it helps not to work in the same area at the same time.

Grimmy

 

[lieuz]

We also have a Townhouse as age slowly sets in smaller is better and for us having everything on one floor is great. Also it leaves the second floor for a nice private guest area. The garden areas front and back are indeed small but we are talking about small plants so it will all work out. At our house my Wife leaves the back area to my design and landscapes the front. In small areas it helps not to work in the same area at the same time.

Grimmy

You're probably very right about this.

 

[rockm]

east

EAT through deck screws and joints...

 

[whfarro]

Numerous plans exist on this forum if you use the search feature.

Here is one I made that used step risers and another easy pedestal stand.

 

[choppychoppy]

my pedestals

 

[Bob Hunter]

Bonsai will not hurt a deck just ripped out old deck of 20 years no rot and the screws were still holding tight. Deck algae is the problem power washed it once a year. Here's the new one I just built.

 

[lieuz]

Numerous plans exist on this forum if you use the search feature.

Here is one I made that used step risers and another easy pedestal stand.

Thank you for that info, I will definitely look at it. Your pedestal stand design is definitely something I've seen in more than onw place. I'll definitely look into it!

my pedestals

Second person posting a very similar pedestal stand. This is definitely something worth looking into.

Here's the new one I just built.

I really like your stand idea where it is anchored onto the rail/fence posts. Your deck is definitely much larger than mine and I'm envious . I really really like your middle alter for Mary. It's very reminiscent of a Shinto alter. I also find your rafter design for shade to be quite ingenious.

 

[Eric Group]

Bonsai will not hurt a deck just ripped out old deck of 20 years no rot and the screws were still holding tight. Deck algae is the problem power washed it once a year. Here's the new one I just built. View attachment 88348 View attachment 88349

Holly crapballs! What an amazing collection you have Rob! Crazy cool pines...

 

[crust]

Numerous plans exist on this forum if you use the search feature.

Here is one I made that used step risers and another easy pedestal stand.View attachment 88328 View attachment 88329

Looks a we bit tippy--I would pin it down if I had it.