Cover

There is nothing quite like sitting in the garden with a glass of wine and enjoying the sights and scents of the garden.  A gazebo is a perfect place to enjoy a quiet summer evening surrounded by some of your favorite flowers and vines.  You can listen to the summer rain beating on the roof while you stay dry and comfortable underneath its shelter.  Why not build a retreat in your garden?  It need not be anything complex or overwhelming, nor does it need to be expensive.  With a few purchases from your local hardware store you will be able to put it together in a weekend.

 

Decide upon the area of your garden that you would like to place the gazebo.  The amount of space will, of course, depend upon how large a gazebo you would like.  Something small enough for a short bench and a small table or an edifice that is big enough to hold the whole family.  The choice of size is up to you.

Level the area you have chosen, this will more than likely require you to remove some sod or rocks and rake and smooth several times, but the smoother it is now, the easier it will be to finish your gazebo.

You will now dig the holes for your 4X4 support posts.  The depth will depend upon the frost heave in your area. Plan on at least two-feet, or more depending on how deep the soil freezes in your area.  You will need at least six holes placed in a hexagon shape three feet, ten inches apart.  If you plan on making a larger gazebo then you will need a correspondingly greater number of support posts.

Your support posts will need to be eight feet plus the depth you will need to bury it into the ground, so if you will be placing two feet of post in the ground you will need six 10-foot four-by-fours.  You may want to backfill the holes with concrete for added stability.  If you do, then make sure to dig your holes a little wider and make sure to keep the posts vertical and three feet, 10 inches apart.

Once you have your support posts in and anchored firmly, you are ready to begin adding the sides.  You will need five pre-formed plastic trellis sheets.  These are available from your local hardware or garden center.  They are sold in a multitude of colors to match almost any house or garden design.  Sold as four-by-eight sheets, they can be a little unwieldy to handle but, they are not particularly heavy.  Leave one side open as a door and attach the sheets to the remaining support posts with nails or screws.  If desired, you can add trim on the support posts where the trellis pieces meet to help hide the joint and the screws or nails that you used.

Now for the trickiest part, the roof.  Of course you could leave it open to the sky, but that would limit your use during rainy weather.  You will need to place at least three two-by-twos across the top of the support posts and then build a frame that comes to a point in the center.  Now cut three-quarter-inch plywood into triangles to place over the framework, creating a base for the shingles. At this point, you can add a vent if desired to help remove hot air trapped under the roof, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Finish the floor inside with a thick layer of sand and some bricks or flagstones.  Furnish with a bench or two, a small table and you are ready to enjoy the product of your labors.  If you want more privacy, then you can plant almost any type of climbing plant outside to twine around your trellis.

Don’t be surprised if your gazebo becomes a favorite place to sit and enjoy quiet moments.  Shaded from the hot sun, cooled by the slightest breeze and with an attractive view, what more could one want, except maybe someone to refill your glass.

Santa Clarita Magazine

Santa Clarita Magazine