Backyard Oasis

I’m always looking for something a little different for my backyard garden oasis. And it’s challenging to find or make unique and artistic garden pieces.
photo credit: faeryboots

I have an area just off the patio that needs redone and a unique garden gate seemed to be what I needed. After a weekend of sales and a few “salvaging finds,” I found several unique free windows that would be perfect. The windows I chose to use for this garden gate had old wooden panes but no glass.

You could use window with glass, screen, lattice or nothing in them at all. You could also add mirror or weather proof fabric. This is a versatile project that is only limited by your ideas.

This window garden gate took about one hour to assemble from start to finish.

How to Create a Window Garden Gate

• First decide the location for your garden gates. Next measure the width of the windows to figure how big your opening is going to be.
• Dig holes deep enough to install your side poles. For this step a post hole digger would be helpful.
• Place each pole into a hole. Hold the poles up straight and pack the dirt around the pole and tamp in place. Saw off any excess length for the side poles. I prefer to use a quick crete mix for refilling the postholes to ensure that they will stay in place.
• Make sure your poles are level by using a using a leveling tool. If you are going to add cement or quick crete make sure the poles are level and straight first. Once this step is done its time to add the window garden gates.
• Mark each pole at the spot you have decided to place the windows. Make sure the mark on each pole is identical so that the gate will hang even.
• For the size window I am using (about three foot) I Will use two hinges on each window. When deciding where to put the hinges make sure they are even lengths apart on each window to help distribute the weight of the gate evenly.
• Install the hinges on the windows first using a screwdriver. I use an electrical screwdriver; it’s faster and easier.
• Hang each window door at the spot you want them to hang on your poles. It is extremely important to make sure that your windows are hung level or they will not close correctly.
• Add a latch if you want.

This gate is mainly for show in my small patio garden area. I plan to add flowering vines to the poles and let them cross over onto the window gate area. Next year I may decide to fill in the window panes for a different look and use it as more of a garden gate.