DIY Network

Wooden Arbor Joe Lamp'l builds a decorative arbor at the entrance to the garden and plants it with scarlet runner beans. From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-308

Now that Joe Lamp'l has demonstrated a variety of vertical supports for growing vegetables up rather than out, he's ready to build the crème de la crème of vertical gardening: a decorative wood arbor. He constructs the arbor at the entrance to his garden, showing viewers step-by-step exactly how an arbor should be built. To finish, he plants scarlet runner beans around the base of the arbor.

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Joe Lamp'l shares step-by-step instructions for building this arbor.

An arbor is traditionally placed in the landscape and planted with climbing roses or colorful clematis. But arbors look equally good in a vegetable garden, where they can serve as functional, long-lasting supports for vegetables.

Joe built an arbor that he tied into an existing garden gate. Here we're providing a materials list and directions for a freestanding arbor that has only two vertical posts.

Materials:

10' 4x4 posts (2)
5' 1x6 posts (2)
8' 2x2 post (1)
galvanized screws and galvanized nails
quick-setting concrete mix
small bag of gravel

1. To set the vertical posts, dig postholes about 12" across and 30" deep, placing them about 4' to 4-1/2' apart (figure A).

2. Pour 3" of gravel in the bottom of each hole to improve the drainage (figure B); then set the two 10' 4x4s in place (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. Add dry quick-setting concrete mix to each hole (figure D); then use scrap wood to make temporary braces to hold each post upright (figure E).

4. To make sure the posts are plumb, use a level (figure F).

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

5. To ensure that the two posts are the same height, lay a board over the tops and place the level on the board (figure G). If the board is level, the post tops are level too.

6. Once you're sure everything is plumb, add water to the quick-set mix (figure H). Let the concrete set up and cure for 24 hours; then knock off the temporary braces. Once this has been done, you can start on to the top arch.

Figure G

Figure H

7. For the top of the arbor, cut a 1x6 so that it's just longer than the opening of the arbor (figure I). Draw a decorative design on each end; then cut out the design with a saber saw. To give the piece a finished look, round off the cut edges with a sander (figure J). Repeat the same process on a second 1x6.

Figure I

Figure J

8. Use galvanized screws to attach the 1x6s to the front and back of the 4x4s (figure K). A handheld drill makes the work go quickly.

9. To make the small rafters, cut the 8' 2x2 into 10 pieces, each 8" long; then cut a 45-degree angle off both ends of each piece.

10. Mark on the arbor where you want to place each rafter, spacing them evenly along the top. Using galvanized nails, nail each into place (figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

11. Once the arbor is completed, it's ready to be planted. There are lots of options for fast-growing vegetables that will climb to the top in no time. One option is gourds, such as gooseneck or bottle gourds; another is to include scarlet runner beans or hyacinth beans. Both beans have edible pods, and they also have beautiful red flowers that attract hummingbirds.