DIY Mosquito Repellent Planters + Potting Bench Update

It’s been a hot minute since // we built a potting bench //, and I figured it was high time I stain and seal it so that I could actually use it outside! With the arrival of warmer weather, the mosquitos have moved in and set-up residence anywhere that I am. With a budding green thumb, I figured I’d try my hand at some DIY Mosquito Repellent Planters, but first I’d need to finish the potting bench.

*MinWax sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.

Remember how last summer we // updated our harvest table //  using Minwax Water Based Pre-Stain Conditioner, Minwax Water Based Wood Stain White Pickling Wash, and Minwax Water Based Helmsman Spar Urethane ? Well I used the exact same process and products, to finish the // potting bench. //

Much like with all outdoor wood projects involving stain, it’s a good idea to pre-treat the wood, so I applied the wood conditioner. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label! Once the wood was good to go, I applied the white wash pickling in a rather thick layer. I wanted a thick milky white look (like with the table) so I applied maaaany layers.

Once it was all dry, I sealed it using the Helmsman Spar Urethane for outdoor use. I’m not detailing all the steps here, since I’ve done so in my post about the // harvest table refresh // from last summer.

Once the potting bench was stained and sealed, I was finally able to move it outside without worrying it would be ruined in the rain. I could have just painted it, but I wanted to match it to harvest table and the outdoor cooler that we’ve built using the same products.

So here’s the thing, the fence (in the back of these pictures) is not level, so things may look a little kooky.

With that out of the way, I was able to able start my DIY mosquito repellent planters. I am one of those people who mosquitos are drawn to. They would consume me whole if they could, and I never have a good reaction to them. I’m usually scratching, itching, and swatting at them. It’s an unfortunate aspect of summer as far as I’m concerned.

I’ve done some research, and from what I can tell, there are quite a few plants that will help deter the mosquitos, so I thought I’d try my hand at a few.

Chamomile, Citronella, Lemon Balm, Catnip, Marigolds, Basil, Lavendar, Mint, Garlic, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, and Geraniums help repel them. Given that I’ve already got a few flowers out, I didn’t want to add another flower to the mix. We’re not really garden vegetable people (I would not eat anything grown in the ground on base), so I decided to try Lavendar, Mint, and Chamomille.

I opted to plant them all in smaller planters, so that I could move them around the yard as need be, when entertaining or relaxing. Nothing worse than having to try and move a ginormous planter around.

We sprung for mojito mint, because Dan loves a good mojito, and it’s a less precious leaf, so it’s a bit hardier.

I LOVE lavendar, but have never tried to grow it out here. I’m hoping this stuff is hardy enough to survive the summer. It smells lovely, and will hopefully attract some honey bees too.

After planting the DIY mosquito repellent planters, my hands smelled amazing! Between the mint, lavendar and chamomille, the aromas in the air were fabulous.

They add such an interesting element to the backyard, and I’m happy to have them.

I also took the occasion to add a few new flamingos to the scene. We now have a Hank no2, and a Hank no3. Hank no1 – The OG – is Bruce’s stuffed animal toy.

They also tie-in with the flamingos on our front porch as part of the // spray-painted striped planters. //