We made our official announcement this morning about building an arbor for the 48-hour Blog Challenge. An arbor has been in my mind to start the side corridor pathway to our backyard. Now we could go out and purchase the arbor and stick it up fairly easily but that wasn’t in our plan. We had to go and make the project more difficult…we’ll build it from scratch!
Here’s a rough description of the Arbor plan. First we’ll put up the wooden arbor which we’ll also stain a nice natural cedar color. We debated on using paint that would match the house but paint would automatically make the arbor appear more formal. Formality is not something we wish to cultivate in our garden. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! The arbor will tie together several garden spots like the front garden, the side border garden and the corner shade garden. Each of these areas will act independently of each other yet add to the overall effect of one larger garden. I want the arbor to invite people in to experience the garden. It’s all about transitions. Once the arbor goes up it will serve as a doorway to another garden room.
After building the arbor we’ll use various stone products and plantings from The Home Depot to highlight the arbor and help with the merging of three garden areas into one. The smoothness of the transition is very important. The stone products will be used to outline planters and planting beds and create more “bones of the garden” to work around.
One of the advantages to building the arbor ourselves is the cost. The materials will cost less than it does for a standard ready built arbor yet it will actually be a larger structure. Our design is a little different from other arbors which I believe is another advantage, we control everything about its design. Next Friday on my 48-hour Blog Challenge post you’ll be able to see the materials we chose to use for our arbor and very soon you’ll get to see the building process as well as the finished product. If everything goes as planned the Arbor will be complete before you know it!
How to Build an Arbor
Build a Mini-Hoop House to Get an Early Start on the Garden
This winter has been cold and nothing if not unpredictable. Here in Tennessee we’re experiencing a warm day every now and then followed by extreme cold. Hopefully now that March has arrived and spring is close things will be shaping up very soon. With that…
Building A Simple Arbor in a Day
You can never have enough arbors can you? Arbors are a design element for a garden that add vertical structure and can provide definition to garden areas. Today I put together a very simple gateway arbor as an entrance to the shade garden I’ve built…
Nasturtiums and an Arbor
OK I’ll have to admit it the arbor part of this post is an attempt to offset some of the misery that my nasturtiums are suffering. The heat of this summer has been way too intense for any of my nasturtium plantings to thrive so…
Making A Dry Creek Bed Drainage Canal for Downspouts
What should we do with this sedum garden? That’s a question we asked ourselves several times. It was at one time a sedum garden but for some reason most of the sedum died over last summer. They may have been too wet, too dry, or…
How to Build a Raised Multi-Leveled Garden Planter Box
The summer heat is coming and with the heat comes a whole new set of rules for gardening. The warm season vegetables grow great while the cool season plants bolt quickly. What if you want to keep your cool season plantings growing longer into the…
Portable Planter Box Project
Recently I put together a little project from some wood I had stored in the garage. It was an idea I had to help me with a presentation I’ll be giving at a local garden show. Essentially I needed a way to demonstrate how a…
Discover more from Growing The Home Garden
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Go for it Dave.
If you shop around you’ll find all you need to build it in whatever style you want and trust me, it’s so satisfying.
I look forward to seeing it.
All the best
Rob
I think the arbor will look great! Can’t wait to see it.
Good luck! Look forward to seeing your progress!
I’m a first-time reader and think your idea is really good. I would like to have an arbor, too, and look forward to seeing your design.
Oh my goodness, it is going to be beautiful I have no doubts at all! Your yard is gorgeous and an Arbor to compliment it—seperate but one garden area………..ideal!
Looking forward to following along! Your grass is looking mighty good.
This is very exciting Dave! It will be perfect for the side of your house!
Gail
I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Ooooh! I’m getting excited to watch this happen! This is going to be wonderful, I just know it.
Great choice for your project Dave! I can’t wait to see it! 🙂
Hey Bubba,
Around here you can find alot of paver stones, lumber, etc. For free on craigslist. May The Lord take a Liking to Ya!! well He already has just look at them girls.
Menion