Deck bench on railing

[HAMMER-SCHLAGEN]

Ive got an idea to build a bench/shelf on my deck attached around the inside of the railing because I haven't thought of a good spot that is easily accessible to have plants in the yard. I have a drip works system I am going to add to it when/if it gets built. I am thinking it could turn out nice but the deck area is subject to high winds a lot of the time. Has anyone made anything like this before?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have not made anything like it, however I have a couple of thoughts.

Make sure your bench level is perhaps only 3" below your rail. You want to make sure your pots can't fall off, but you want them to get full sun and be able to spread their branches out in all directions equally.

If wind is a problem, you can put a low rail on the front of your shelf, so that your trees will be supported in front as well as in back. If wind is REALLY high, you can screw in small eyelet screws to your shelving front and back, and use small bungie cords to secure the pots from blowing over.

I feel sad that I bring this up but... your deck is in front of your house on a public street. Are you concerned about theft?

 

[Giga]

My thought is on theft too, unfortunately. I keep mine in the back yard behind a 10' locked fence and I have a massive dog to help lol

 

[Bonsai Nut]

My thought is on theft too, unfortunately. I keep mine in the back yard behind a 10' locked fence and I have a massive dog to help lol

...plus that big knife!

 

[Cypress187]

I feel sad that I bring this up but... your deck is in front of your house on a public street. Are you concerned about theft?

Yeah, that's what i thought. Also it looks very tiny (in comparison with that barbeque , you should also watch out they don't catch fire unless you want natural shari ).

 

[HAMMER-SCHLAGEN]

I have not made anything like it, however I have a couple of thoughts.

Make sure your bench level is perhaps only 3" below your rail. You want to make sure your pots can't fall off, but you want them to get full sun and be able to spread their branches out in all directions equally.

If wind is a problem, you can put a low rail on the front of your shelf, so that your trees will be supported in front as well as in back. If wind is REALLY high, you can screw in small eyelet screws to your shelving front and back, and use small bungie cords to secure the pots from blowing over.

I feel sad that I bring this up but... your deck is in front of your house on a public street. Are you concerned about theft?

Right, deck is in a cruddy spot at the front/side of the house but I live in a rural small town with low traffic so I'm not concerned about people bothering anything. I wasn't even considering a deck there but I needed a spot for my grills right off of the kitchen.

I just snapped a quick photo for the drawing...I would build the shelf in the back corner on the deck. It is only 9' x 15'

I wish I had a better spot to put plants. I have a large back yard but the only ways to get back there are to walk all the way around the house or down stairs and out the basement walk-out door.

 

[CWTurner]

Hammer,

You might want to think about putting them on the outside of the deck. Of course you'd want the bench higher in that case, but you would retain most of the s.f. of the deck space.

Maybe even think about making the top rail into a bench? Put 12" cross-pieces every 18-24", then lay four 1" x 3" lengthwise over them to make a bench out of the top rail.

The wind might be more of an issue with both suggestions, but it sounds like you're going to need to tie them down regardless.

 

[skrit]

I think if I was in your shoes and had to build in the location you've chosen (and wasn't concerned about theft), I would probably build a shelf directly on top of the railing. From a perspective of strength, support, and space (i.e. it doesn't clog up your small deck as much). Add drainage (obv.) and potentially a windscreen as needed. (wind screen could simply be upright 'stakes' screwed into the outside edge of the shelf with shade cloth or similar stapled to them).

I started sketching something out in Paint, and it looks horrible so I won't post it. If you don't get the idea, PM me and I could explain further.

 

[HAMMER-SCHLAGEN]

So many people are worried about theft...? I understand the concern of course...put in the time and effort and then it walks off. Do you think this actually happens, people stealing plants?

 

[whfarro]

So many people are worried about theft...? I understand the concern of course...put in the time and effort and then it walks off. Do you think this actually happens, people stealing plants?

Unfortunately.. yes.

 

[Cadillactaste]

What size are your spindles? My thoughts are...will they be able to withstand the weight added to them without twisting?

 

[sorce]

Theft or Vandalism!

I'd do 2 tiers there.


And watch for that hot off the q!

Sorce

 

[HAMMER-SCHLAGEN]

Haven't been on bnut in a while but I've got some work done finally on my deck space. Still need a little staining but here we are! Had some deck disasters with storms recently but all have survived. Just have the juniper that's getting a little shaggy, Japanese maple, and the rest are crape myrtle. Deck level is boxwood and something I can't remember...but still in nursery containers for now. Have installed a drip works drip emitter system with auto timer.

 

[armetisius]

Haven't been on bnut in a while but I've got some work done finally on my deck space. Still need a little staining but here we are! Had some deck disasters with storms recently but all have survived. Just have the juniper that's getting a little shaggy, Japanese maple, and the rest are crape myrtle. Deck level is boxwood and something I can't remember...but still in nursery containers for now. Have installed a drip works drip emitter system with auto timer.

Well planned, well done. I have seen these "installations"
done poorly before and it always shows. Yours however
looks great. Hey, if you ever get tired of bonsai you can always
go into the custom renovation line. lol. Seriously, looks like you
will have plenty of fun with this. Good growing