The Garden Gate

Over the weekend Mike built me a garden gate.  We wanted something that was simple to make and inexpensive, but functional.  I wanted a gate wide enough to let a wheelbarrow through which required a custom creation.  After scouring the internet for inspiration, we settled on a wooden gate built out of two 2x4s, wood screws, two basic hinges and a hook and eye latch.  Easy and cheap!

For the posts, Mike dug two very deep holes and installed two 2x4s cut to size on both sides of the opening.  He filled in the holes with pea gravel and dirt for a snug fit (but not as permanent as cement because we don't want that).  For the gate door itself, he built a box out of 2x2s - a 2x4 cut in half cross-wise with a circular saw.  Using thinner pieces of wood kept the weight down - important for such a wide gate, especially when the posts are not cemented.  The box was put together with a drill and a few wood screws.  Using a staple gun, he attached chicken wire at the bottom and deer netting at the top to keep the animals out.

Mike attached the gate door to the posts with simple hinges from Home Depot and attached a hook and eye for a latch.  It swings open beautifully and works great!