Seed starting bench X 2

I want to start seeds for the fall. It's a bit to hot to direct sow. The greenhouse is way to hot. I decided to build a bench I can put in a shady spot with shade cloth over it.
We had these 4"x4"x30" at work in the free pile.  They were pretty rough, but still solid. There was also some 2"x4" with the notches cut out for a forklift.  
My plan was to use hardwire cloth, but our compressor is down, so it was going to make it more difficult. Nothing was working, and I was frustrated. My son built the frame for me while I was at work the next day.  My son convinced me to use wood instead of wire. The bottom shelf is a bunch of pallet wood with cut off nails I deemed not worth removing. Even so I liked the look. I was trying to decide what to use on top and decided to use the last of the old redwood fencing someone gave me.  My children gave me a planer for my birthday, so I had to try it out.  It ended up so beautiful(the  picture doesn't do it justice)I didn't want to use it for starting seeds. (What will  I use it for? I don't know yet)
My son also bought a small compressor. So take two. I built the bench I had originally intended.  
Both are sturdy and useful.

I'm finally getting my fall seeds started.  I'm  enjoying my new seed starting bench, makes me want to build a potting bench.  I also think it will be very useful in the spring when things need to be removed from the greenhouse, before planting.  

This was working well until I removed the covers.  The day after I removed the covers a lot of my little seedlings were just a stem poking out of the soil.  I suspect squirrel or rat.
I made a raised bed for my strawberry's this year, but it was done to late, so it' was empty.  It's the perfect plan B. I put the seedlings in the bed, and covered them with shade cloth.
This is the first time starting fall seeds in pots, usually I direct sow.  But lots of my summer veggies are still going strong.  I suspect I have been over watering. That and the fact it's jumped back up in the 100s has really reduced germination. I also  wonder
if the little buggers have been eating the pea seeds.  Luckily I have time to try again.  I will also be making a chicken wire top for my bench to protect the seedlings from hungry critters.
I wonder if the person who wrote the quote " If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again" was a gardener 🤔
Anyway here I go again.

This is what the strawberry bed looks like without the shade cloth.

The seed starting bench needed a top. I thought I needed to protect the seedlings from the sun. It turns out the sun isn't an issue when the critters eat the seeds before they sprout, and munch the seedlings they missed.
The tops made out of a wood frame, and avian wire, which is like chicken wire, only a little smaller holes. It's sturdy enough I can move it around without it collapsing, but not very heavy.  I can put shade cloth on it when needed. It's finally cooled down, and the days are getting shorter, so I plan to do without the shade cloth.
I was thinking I could put avian, or chicken wire between the top and bottom on 3 sides, and make a wire door for the front, then I could use both shelves, and everything would be safe from the critters.  I probably won't do it now, but it seems like a quick and easy project to double my grow space.

2025 My seed starting table is getting lots of use.  It has been great all year, but especially now for fall seed starting. Like I said before, fall is tough because lots of the summer veggies are still going strong, but it's time to get fall stuff started, so it makes sense to start seeds in pots.  I'm using my top to make sure my seedlings are safe from hungry critters.
This is one of those things that was quick, easy, didn't cost much to make, and has been very useful.  I haven't built my potting bench yet, but hopefully some day.

3rd times a charm. It's starting to cool down and the days are getting shorter, so I would like the seedlings to get a little more sun. I don't want to have to move the seed table, It's heavy, and a pain to get level.
I built an other seed table. I have a top I made for one of my raised beds last year so I made the table just a bit bigger, so I can protect the seedlings  from the birds.  I made it table height so when I'm not using it for seeds I can sit at it and do whatever garden tasks need done. I could also throw a table cloth over it and use it as a picnic table in a pinch. One of my favorite things about it is it's not very big, or heavy, so I can move it to where ever I want it. It's far from perfect, I made it in an evening, out of pallet wood. I noticed I attached one of the sides wrong, so one side is a little wider than the other making it a little wonky. It wasn't worth taking it apart to fix it . I'm ok with wonky. It's functional, and it works for me.

Time to start fall seeds again. This year I have been battling Harlequin bugs.  I don't know if it's the weather, our persistence, or both, but we have been seeing a fewer Harlequin bugs. Fewer isn't zero, so I have been worried about starting my fall seeds, which are heavy on the brassica's which are the Harlequin bugs plants of choice. My work has roe cover that got a little dirty, so they are clearancing for . 39 per foot it comes 12' wide, so I got 20'. A 12X20' piece  cost 6.00, a heck of a deal. I covered the chicken wire top with the row cover, and nailed a piece on the top of the seed table. I will probably still throw some shade cloth over the top in the beginning, but will remove it as the days get shorter, or if the seedlings show signs of not enough light.
I hope it works, I'm just thinking an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.