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Recycled hardwood and galvanised mesh used to build a trellis with planter boxes in a backyard area where it was previously often wet.
The project
We had a dead area in our backyard that was always too wet for anything to grow. With that in mind we decided to build a trellis fence out of recycled hardwood floor joists, with Corten (Corten Steel) planter boxes in between. The planter boxes kept the new plants off the ground and instead of dying, are now flourishing. The sketchy grass was also removed and replaced with paving. It finished up totally transforming our back yard and we couldn't be any happier with the result.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
- 90 x 35mm recycled hardwood joists for the trellis posts
- Recycled hardwood fascia board for the top of the trellis
- 450mm high wind anchor posts. I chose these as the trellis fence is free standing (not attached to anything) and it keeps the wood up and off the ground so they should last longer.
- 100 x 100mm gal mesh between the posts
- Galvanised staples to attach the mesh to the wood
- Bastion concrete mix 20kg bag
- Corten planter boxes (made to size)
- 600 x 400mm pavers.
Tools used in the project:
- 185mm Makita circular saw
- Makita cordless drill
- Makita electric planer
- DeWalt mitre saw
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Makita reciprocating saw. I had a lot of trouble with tree roots from old trees that had been cut down along the fenceline so the reciprocating saw was amazing in being able to easily cut those roots away
- Grinder to cut the mesh
- Stanley socket set.
Steps
Step 1
Like all fence type jobs, setting out the job and digging the holes was the first cab off the rank. I came across a lot of dead tree roots so the reciprocating saw was amazing at easily cutting through those.
Step 2
Concrete the post stirrups in place. I've used high wind anchor posts as this is a free-standing trellis fence and l don't want to have the posts in the ground as that will make them last longer. Since this is free standing, normal post stirrups don't have enough rigidity to hold the trellis straight over time.
Step 3
Cut the posts and bolt them into the post stirrups. Make sure you take the edge off the posts to remove any splinters.
Step 4
Cut the frames for between the posts and attach the mesh to the frames using galvanised staples.
Step 5
After a coat of oil, we left it like that for a while hoping that the creepers would grow but unfortunately that failed, which led us to the next step of removing the grass, adding some paving and placing in the Corten planter boxes which you will see in the next step.
Step 6
The job finished, complete with pavers and Corten planter boxes made to order.
Before and after
More inspiration for your project
Community member Mark set up his wire trellis for climbing plants between two undercover pillars.
Workshop member Roy took just five hours to use used cable and star climbers to train climbers to screen a fence.
Find more inspiration in our Top 10 most popular planter box projects and Top 10 most popular screening projects.
@mich1972 Glad you liked the Trellis fence with The Cor 10 Planter Boxes! In regard to Council Approval, as far as l know in our local area up on the Mid North Coast of NSW, approval wasn't necessary and in relation to what l planted, l settled on Star Jasmine, Variegated Star Jasmine and Pandora which is the purple flower. You'll also notice that l had to add some wire mesh netting around the vines which is designed to keep our free ranging pet rabbit from eating them!!
Cheers,
Shane 👍🎄🎄
