How to build a rustic 6' garden arbor

There are plans out there to build garden arbors, trellis, and pergolas but I am here to share with you how to build a rustic 6′ garden arbor for less than $50. In all reality, this will cost you around $85 to install if you use my method and fence mender brackets I found at Home Depot.

To build this arbor you will need to buy or have on hand the following:

4- 2x4x8 green treated
- I cut mine to 7′ to sit atop the ground
- You can use longer treated lumber for sides if you are going to concrete in ground
Plus 3- 8′ fence pickets for the top and brackets (or 5- 6′ fence pickets)
- 4- 15 1/4″ pieces for the braces on sides if you want the structure to fit the 12″ wide black trellis
- 7- 30″ boards for the top
- 1 piece for a pattern cut out for top pieces (about 12″ piece will work)
2- $9.97 black metal trellis’ in the garden dept (at Home Depot) if you want a more decorative arbor
- these trellis’ are 12″ wide
SPAX screws (Home Depot) these screws are self tapping for wood and metal (I used 1 1/4″ but next time I will use 1 1/2″)
Drill driver and a drill with a small bit for pilot holes on metal arbor
Circular saw and/or chop saw/miter saw
Square, measuring tape, safety glasses, clamps, workbench/table
Level and a pencil
4 fence mending brackets, concrete or other method to anchor
No more than a day

This took me a day to cut everything out and come up with the measurements that would work. It took another hour to install. However, now that I am giving you the measurements, it should take less than a day to build and install. My client/friend loves her new arbor that will eventually be the support for many flowering vines. I have a smaller version of this arbor that my husband and I created 2 years ago and it still stands solid as ever.

If you do not like the rustic look, then I suggest using decking boards instead of fence pickets. Decking boards will be less expensive (from what I have priced) than treated lumber plus it will give you that smoother wood look.

I love working with fence pickets because they are easy to handle and cut plus they are cheap. Oh did I say cheap? I meant less expensive.

How to build a rustic 6' garden arbor — I did the sides first

I hope I inspired you to create your own garden arbor. (In my opinion) there is no better way to beckon guests to your garden than through an arbor. Check out the directions and a few pictures with a link to my youtube channel for a picture slideshow of what I did. If you live close, I could even build you one for a fee.

Thank you for stopping by!

Creating. Inspiring. Gardening without the rules!

2015 copyrighted material C Renee Fuller @The Garden Frog Boutique

Directions: (add more photos soon- check out link for slideshow below)

Cut your lumber
Place 4- 2x4s on the workbench/table and clamp them together flush on all sides and ends and secure to the table
Get circular saw ready and set the depth guide so you can groove/cut out the depth needed to secure side bracing flush with 2×4 sides
Mark where you need to use circular saw to cut out grooves for side bracing, chisel out, and make smooth. Repeat on opposite side
Make sure you measure what your fence pickets or other wood is width wise because there is differences in thicknesses
After you chisel out, remove from clamps and attach 15 1/4″ brackets
center the black trellis and attach with a screw on top and bottom on each side
Now that you have a pattern for the top boards, cut those out with a jig saw
On the workbench/table put one side of arbor so you can use this as a guide to attach top boards
Measure 12″ in on the 2- 8′ top boards.
From the 12″ marks measure for the center and mark it (should be 36″)
From the center measure each way 12″ (this is not exact since the boards are 1/2″ wide so center the 30″ top boards on the markings
You will now need to measure to cut out 1/2″ wide x 1 1/2″ deep slots for the 30″ top boards to fit on top of the 8′ top supports
Measure 30″ for center and from center measure and then measure 7 1/2″ each way from the center mark (you may have a different measurement but you can always take the board over there and mark out where you need the slots to go on the 8′ top supports)
Note: I always make a pattern so I do not mess up my project when trying to make the slotted top boards
cut out the slots
Put the 7 – top boards on and screw in place at an angle from the top so the screws are not seen
You can now attach the top to the sides screwing the top 8′ boards to the side supports and aligning with the 12″ mark on each side
Use levels and/or squares to put together
set up and anchor