Simple Garden Gate

Build a simple garden gate from tree branches and angle brackets.

August/September 2009
By Lori Dzierzek 
Garden gate
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You can make this garden gate to protect your garden from dogs and small children.
LORI DZIERZEK
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There is no end to the projects to be done on a small farm. Along our driveway, poplar trees often need thinning out. I decided they were perfect for a garden gate at my vegetable garden. I cut down two trees, 12 inches in circumference, and cleaned off the branches.

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From the branches, I cut two poles of equal length for the garden gate side rails. Next, I cut the top and bottom rails, with their lengths determined by the width of the gate opening, allowing room for hardware. I attached the top and bottom rails to the side rails using L brackets to form the frame for the garden gate.

I laid some of the leftover lengths of interesting branches across the frame and cut them to create a diagonal design on the gate. I screwed these together with deck screws. The crosspieces provided stability.

Next, I cut chicken wire a little larger than the frame and folded it to fit. Then, using small electrical staples, I tacked the chicken wire around the frame and to the crosspieces.

Using a lag screw hinge-and-eye set, I mounted my gate to the post.

Lori Dzierzek
Aylett, Virginia
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  • steve 1/8/2010 8:58:12 PM

    I built a very similar gate a couple years ago. I used a few more branches as i didnt use chicken wire.

    It works very well as long as you perform some yearly maintenence (ie tighting the screws, fixing holes etc)

    Very budget friendly and looks great too!

    great job!

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