What to do with this bench?

[madamehooch]

Hi there
At 56 years old, I have finally achieved enthusiasm for gardening, although it will probably take the same amount of years for my horticultural know how to catch up ...

I want to grow some container veg on my south-facing patio. The only problem I have is that it is currently home to a large picnic table/bench. It is extremely uncomfortable to sit on now, even with cushions, but my father-in-law made it so getting rid of it may not be easy ...

I thought about incorporating it within my veg-growing plans (putting containers on it etc)but am not sure about the practicalities of this.

I am attaching a photo of the bench and would appreciate any ideas mumsnet gardeners may have.

When you say getting rid of it may not be easy would chopping it up and re-arranging the wood be in the same category? Because those slats would make a decent planter ...

I think chopping it up would be a last option but you're not the first person to suggest that 😄

Slice the entire thing vertically lengthways, so you have two half-benches, and lean them up against a fence.

That looks a really nice bench, but if it's not comfy for you there's not much point keeping it. I think I'd have an honest conversation with your FIL, tell him you appreciate the craftsmanship that went into it, but just not right for you for X, Y, Z reasons, would he like to offer it to someone else in the family, if not you plan to donate it.

There will be lots of community groups and charities with outdoor space who'd bite your hand off for it and your FIL would know it was being used and appreciated. I think he'd have every right to be pretty offended if you butcher his work to make a planter...

I thought about incorporating it within my veg-growing plans (putting containers on it etc)but am not sure about the practicalities of this.

Putting the containers onto something like broken slates or even strips of wood to keep them slightly off the table will help with drainage (especially important over the winter) and stop the table rotting more quickly.

I'd put taller pots on the seats and shallower ones on the table top so they all end up a similar level for working at. Think of your ability to reach from either end of the table or behind the seats for watering/tending/harvesting jobs, if you have any limitations in that respect.

Be aware that brown water will come out of the pots to underneath the table which will mark the slabs unless you rinse it away or catch it in other containers for re-use.

Eat it. Or throw it away.