How to Build a Garden Gate

There are two different types of gates that you can build to your garden. However, the most important factor is visibility. It has to be located in an area that is inviting to anyone that ventures into your garden or just views it from a distance. It is an area of passage from the outside to something special.

The two different types of gates is an open gate area (no actual structure) and a metal or wooden gate itself. Ask yourself this question. What type of garden do you have? Is it a fenced in garden or an open garden (not fenced). A fenced garden doesn’t necessarily have to have a bordered structure around it. It can have hedges, bushes, and even flowers that surround it as a border.

Regardless of what you have, open or closed, a garden gate is a way of saying pass through me to view something that is special.

Have you ever thought about an organic type of gate? This is a gate area that uses compost. It is very easy to do. First you must dictate the area of the gate opening. You can put a couple of old 4 by 4 posts on each side of the gate area. Place a couple of hanging baskets on them with flowers. Then just put your compost around the bottom of the posts. Another way to do it, would be to put a terrace over the gateway and plant wines around it so that they can weave their way through over time. You can also put compost around the bottom of this, too. Note; it is a gate entrance but no actual gate exists. I have even seen this done with two bushes. a bush is planted on each side of the entrance.

If you decide to go with a physical gate structure, it should be the type of gate that you can see through. If you have a flower garden, you want the gate to be like an invitation to people to say, “come through me.” It really doesn’t matter what type of frame or door that you use. What is important is that the visitor can see that by going through it, they are going to see something special. A slatted gate door will do this. A gate door made out of fencing will do this. So will a standard metal door that has openings in it.

Any garden gate that is used no matter is it an open or closed area needs to have a walkway. On a rainy day, you don’t want visitors walking in water. So you might want to think about a slight elevated walkway. You can use bricks, flat stones, lose gravel, or chat rock. The walkway not only provides a good walking surface but, it leads the person to the gate and through it. I have even seen old tires that have been chipped up and used. Once again, you can consider compost as well. You can make your walkway with old railroad ties or treated lumber. Then just spread the compost within the borders.

Location of your gate is a key factor. As I said earlier, you want individuals to be able to view the gate from a distance. However, once they go through the gate, you want them to view something special. You might have some flowers close to the entrance that catches their eye. Maybe it is a center piece in the garden like a reading or sitting area. You want to have something will want to keep the visitor there. Flowers close to the gate will do that, too. Another idea is to have a small fish pond near the entrance. Something close to the gate that will be inviting to look at.

I have seen many gates that are only placed there for show. They are always open or easily accessible to open by anyone. If you decide that you need a secure gate, be sure to hang it on hinges that allow it to open freely. The worst thing to have is a gate that a person has to struggle with to open.

Lastly keep in mind that the main reason behind a gate is to give the idea of entrance. You want people to pass through.