Simple Garden Bench

By Jean Bartholome, Durango, Colorado

One of the easiest ways to make a good garden even better is to set a comfortable bench in a secluded corner. Just having a place to sit transforms an ordinary patch of flowers into a quiet contemplative refuge. So when I was looking for a simple bench, I remembered hearing about a useful design once built by Aldo Leopold, whom many consider the father of wildlife ecology. Leopold's writings have led many to discover what it means to live in harmony with the land. If this bench was good enough for him, it's definitely good enough for me!

A little research led me to this sturdy design I could build quickly with a few 2x8s, glue and screws. Best of all, it's amazingly comfortable, perfect for bird-watching—even for two people. Thanks, Aldo!

Get started on your own bench with these three easy steps!

1. Mark one end of the 2x8 x 10 at a 22-1/2-degree angle with a speed square or protractor, then cut with a circular saw. Make a mark 36 inches away and repeat the cut at the same angle. Cut the remaining front leg and two back legs from the same piece. Cut the seat and the backrest from the 2x8 x 8.

2. Fasten the legs together. Stack and clamp the seat and backrest to the edge of the worktable as guides, and then align the legs against them. Spread adhesive on the front leg, set the rear leg in place, and fasten the legs together with three 2-1/2-inch screws.

3. Attach the seat and backrest. Stand the two ends up, 42 inches apart, spread glue on the tops of the rear legs, and screw the seat in place. Lay the bench on the worktable and attach the backrest with glue and screws.