Any seasoned gardener knows the value of a good cedar potting bench. The durable hardwood workspace makes expert gardening a cinch. Plus, you save yourself a backache while keeping organized at the same time. But once you've got the basic bench setup, how do you accessorize? If this is your first time around the block, you might not be familiar with what tools of the trade are best kept in your cedar potting bench.

Seeds
There are a few different ways to start your garden: you can use seeds, bulbs or saplings, or smaller versions of mature plants. Seeds and even bulbs can easily be stored in a cedar potting bench. The best way for keeping seeds is in repurposed mason jars. These containers are airtight and can be stacked easily on the shelves of your potting table. As far as bulbs, these are more delicate. Once they are dry, keep bulbs cool and dry and store in mesh bags or old stockings.

Annuals
Alternanthera
Alyssum
Baby's Breath
Celosia
Cosmos Versailles
Dahlia
Flowering Cabbage
Geranium
Impatiens
Marigold
Nicotiana
Poppy
Salvia
Spilanthes
Sunflower
Sweet Pea
Vinca
Viola

Perennials
Achillea
Agastache
Anemone
Asclepias
Asters
Astilbe
Astrantia
Baby's Breath
Baptisia
Bleeding Heart
Butterfly Bush
Campanula
Chrysanthemum
Collections
Columbine
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Daisies
Daylily
Delphinium
Dianthus
Eupatorium
Ferns
Foxglove
Gaillardia
Geranium
Helenium
Hellebore
Heuchera
Hibiscus
Hollyhock
Hosta
Hydrangea
Kniphofia
Lady's Mantle
Lavender
Lilies
Linum
Lobelia
Lonicera
Lunaria
Lupine
Lychnis
Monarda
Nepeta
Ornamental Grass
Phlox
Poppies
Potentilla
Rudbeckia
Salvia
Scabiosa
Sedum
Stokesia
Trandescantia
Verbascum
Verbena

Bulbs
Alliums
Baboon Flower
Belladonna Lily
Bluebell
Corn Lily
Crinum
Crocus
Crown Imperial
Cyclamen
Dahlia
Daffodils
Freesia
Fritillary
Ginger Lily
Hippeastrum
Hyacinths
Iris
Jonquils
Lilies
Lily-of-the-Field
Meadow Saffron
November Lilies
Ranunculus
Snowdrop
Snowflakes
Spring Starflowers
Tritonia
Tulips
Zephyr Lilies

Vegetables
Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Beans
Beets
Brussels Sprouts
Broccoli Raab
Cantaloupe
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Collards
Chard
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Endive
Garlic
Gourds
Greens
Heirlooms
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
Lettuce
Melon
Mesclun
Mustard
Okra
Onions
Parsnip
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radicchio
Radishes
Rhubard
Shallot
Spinach
Squash
Swiss Chard
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Tomatillo
Turnip
Watermelon
Zucchini

Herbs
Borage
Basil
Chamomile
Catnip
Chives
Chervil
Dill
Coriander
Fennel
Lemon Balm
Lavender
Mint
Marjoram
Parsley
Oregano
Rosemary
Savory
Sage
Thyme
Stevia

Soil
Equally important to gardening is keeping the appropriate soil in your cedar potting bench. Garden and potting soil is made from a mixture of organic and inorganic ingredients that include rock particles, microorganisms, decaying plant and animal matter and more. The main ingredients also include clay, silt and sand.

Different plants require drastically different soil compositions. For example, clay holds water and nutrients much more easily than sand, but it's harder for roots to get a firm hold. Sand, on the other hand, is easier on roots but moisture dries much more quickly. Hence, sand is best for warm weather plants, like cacti, as evidenced in its naturally desert surroundings.

Another chemical aspect of soil is the level of acidity, which varies naturally in the earth, but can be manipulated for gardening purposes. The desired pH level of most plants is a neutral 7, but some plants prefer more acidic soils (below a 7), while others like alkaline compositions (above a 7). Soil acidity can and should regularly be measured using litmus paper.

In general, though, a good type of soil to store in your cedar potting bench is loam, a tested good mixture of the aforementioned ingredients. Soil should be stored either in the pull out tray of potting tables or underneath in sturdy containers. These containers should be dry but also have a hole or some sort of ventilation for air to circulate so that there is no mold buildup.