For example, before digging the post holes, you'll want to move the arbor to its final location and carefully mark the spots where you need to dig. It's virtually impossible to hold the arbor upright and mark the location at the same time. Having someone to help with the project makes the installation easier and allows you to be more precise. It can also keep you from getting injured by trying to move the arbor by yourself.
If you've used a kit to assemble your garden arbor, its legs are probably hollow. While the arbor will stand if you install it as is, it may not be able to withstand strong winds or the weight of a gate and other additions.
For the sturdiest installation possible, you should use pressure-treated four-by-four lumber as additional support for the arbor. Cut the wood so it will fit inside the hollow legs with approximately 3 inches extending past the edge for installation in the ground. You can use screws to fasten the legs and wood together. With the added support, the garden arbor should be strong enough to endure the elements and most additions you make. To secure the garden arbor in the ground, you need to pour concrete in the post holes before setting the arbor in place.
While it's certainly not a difficult step, you may run into issues with the concrete spreading beyond the hole or drying out before you get a chance to set the arbor in place. To prevent these problems, it's a good idea to use concrete forms in your post holes. You can make your own using wood, but that will add to the installation time. If you want to get your arbor installed quickly, take a trip to the hardware store and purchase pre-made concrete forming tubes, which come in a variety of sizes and do not need to be removed from the post holes because they break down over time.
If you're installing the garden arbor in a spot with existing plants, take special care to avoid harming your plants. By digging the post holes, you run the risk of damaging the plant's roots, which can compromise its health, so it's important to place the arbor where it won't affect the roots. Move the arbor 4. Pick a corner to start and using a mallet hammer the top into the ground. Check after a few swings for plumb and level.
I needed Mr. I was fine for the first half but I think I would have been there all day pounding on it to get it in the rest of the way. We decided to set these so that the 4 screw holes were visible and above grade. We also decided to have the arbor sit above the grade by about an inch to minimize rot. After we finished putting in the first one we checked to see how it fit. Everything seemed fine. We then located the second support and moved the arbor back out of the way.
We hammered in the second support while checking with a straight piece of wood on the flat side to make sure that the 2 supports were in alignment. To level we placed the straight piece of wood on top with a level. We put the arbor back into place to locate the 2 front supports. Because the supports are designed to be hammered from a hunch on the side I hammered them into the ground a few inches to get a rough placement. We carefully lifted the arbor straight up and moved it out of the way.
We finished hammering the 2 remaining supports. Used the piece of wood to check for level on 4 sides. We carefully lifted the arbor back in. This is where a couple of whacks of the mallet comes in handy! We hammered the sides of the supports a few times and tried again. This time they fit but a couple of them were a little too far out. We carefully used clamps to get the support tight to the post. It is important not to over tighten because this could hurt the arbor.
This required some pushing and pulling on the arbor while the other person tightened the clamp. We also used bricks below the arbor feet to help get it roughly level before clamping. Level the 4 sides and add clamps. We used stainless steel screws and washers. Remove clamps. I am considering permanently installing the bricks under the 4 corners for extra support. Things left to do: Reinstall some perennials around the base and adjust the stone path to align with the arbor.
Paint the brackets. You are Wonder Design Woman! Your post also cut down my research for anchoring an elevated raised bed planter too! Was not looking forward to concrete. Thanks so much. Off to Home Depot. Did you design the arbor yourself or did you find some plans somewhere?
We really like this design…got a link? I bought it from a company in Texas off of ebay called Three Man Products.
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