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.

photo credit: greengardenvienna

Bentwood trellises are also fun to make and if you have smaller brush on your property you will have a free supply of material to use. If you don’t have small brush, ask you neighbors. They may have a small overgrown area of property that they would gladly let you trim.

On my property I have a nice supply of hickory, apple (better for small projects), willow and pine. The area needs cleared so I have no problems using the live branches for arbors, arched trellises and flat trellises.

This you tube will give you an idea of how to do make a trellis. I will add the best time for using branches is in the spring before the sap in the wood rises. You can use the branches after spring but it will be best to apply glue where you nail. The reason is that after sap is in the wood the wood will expand. After the wood is cut it will dry and the nail will not be as secure. You can stop this problem with a little glue where you nailed.

Bentwood trellises are fun and easy to make. They make a great family project and are very reasonable to make. And the best reason to make a bentwood trellis is that they add to you garden art and accessories and being handmade you can tailor the size and shape to any location you have. They are perfect for the small balcony garden that needs to utilize every inch of space to its fullest potential.