Building an Arbour

Merril and Gary Jackson always wanted to build an arbour in their garden, but could never find the time as they were too busy caring for sick family members. Their 6 year-old daughter, Lilia, caught chicken pox followed by immobilising secondary infections. She developed vasculitis and cellulitis followed by an extreme case of deep vein thrombosis, which is hampering her efforts to walk properly. Merril has also been caring for her terminally ill mum, who passed away last year.

Merril wrote to Burke’s Backyard asking for Scott Cam’s help with the arbour. Scott arrived at the Jackson home in time to surprise Lilia before she left for school. He built an arbour outside her bedroom window, so that she could look out and see it covered with flowers. An arbour is a frame for climbing plants, often built over a pathway. Scott explained that arbours can be as elaborate as you wish to make them, with columns, rafters, arches and trellis screens. For Lilia, he built a simple arbour costing less than $400.

Tools

• tape measure
• scissor shovel
• saw
• level
• drill
• hammer

• Posts (4): H4 treated pine, 90 x 90 x 2100mm
• Beams (2): 190 x 45mm
• Cross beams (5): 150 x 45mm
• Battens (3): 75 x 45mm
• galvanised bolts, nails and screws

Here’s how

1. Dig four post holes using a scissor shovel.
2. Drop the posts into the holes, level and then concrete in place. (Tip: Scott used H4 treated pine for the posts, because it is suitable for inground use.)
3. Add decorative 45 degree edges to all the beams to give the arbour some ‘old-world’ charm.
4. Drill and bolt the main beams to the outside of the posts. (Tip: it is a good idea to paint or stain the arbour prior to assembly.)
5. Notch out the edges of the cross beams so that they lock in solidly to the main beams. Screw in place.
6. Screw the three battens to the cross beams, to fill out the arbour and provide a framework for the plants to climb over.
7. Fill and seal nail and screw holes.
8. Treat all cut ends with a coat of timber preservative to prevent insect and water damage.
   

Further information

Scissor shovels cost between $40-$60 and are available from hardware stores.

Copyright CTC Productions 2003