Garden arbor design and
building essentials for every landscaping DIY
enthusiast.
Designing and building your own
garden arbor may
not be as complicated or difficult as you might
think. In fact, it can be a really relaxing
weekend DIY project for anyone with a few basic
carpentry and gardening skills, and a few simple
tools. If you want to save time, you can buy kits
which include all of the components pre-cut and
drilled, but building the garden arbor from
scratch means you can be creative and give the
design your own personal touch. You’ll find plenty
of instructional guides, tips and information
online, or in any of a number of landscaping books
and magazines. Another useful source of
information and advice is your local landscaping
or hardware supplier.
One important aspect of the construction of the
garden arbor which requires a little skill is
setting the foundation. This is particularly
important if you’re planning a large structure, or
one made from a heavy material such as timber.
You’ll need to dig post holes at least three feet
deep, and set the foundation in concrete. Holding
the posts in a vertical position while the
concrete sets will require a temporary brace, and
a carpenter’s level.
Garden arbor design basics.
Before you begin bringing your vision to life,
there are a few basic things to think about. A
very useful tip is to decide what types of plants
are going to be growing around the arbor before
you decide anything else. There are a range to
choose from, including traditional roses, climbing
hydrangea, sweet pea or gorgeous fragrant jasmine.
The eventual weight of the plant as it grows to
maturity will determine the size of the load the
structure will need to support.
There are a number of materials to choose from,
including natural timbers such as mahogany and red
cedar, delicate metals like steel or copper
tubing, or super low maintenance high tech
materials such as PVC vinyl. There is also a great
variety of square and arch shapes you could base
the design around. If you’re planning your first
project, it’s a good idea to choose a simple,
classic design; when you’re more experienced, you
can let your imagination run wild.
