White (or whatever color desired) all-weather paint.
Electric drill and galvanized 2 1/4-inch woodscrews OR Hammer and galvanized 2 1/4-inch (7d) nails
Tape measure
Sandpaper
3 (2 x 4) boards, each 30 inches (2 1/2 feet) in length
6( 1 x 3) slats, each 48 inches (4 feet) in length
Marking pencil
Step1
Sanding the boards. Take the sandpaper and smooth off the rough edges of all of the boards. You may also want to lightly sand the entire length of each board to help the paint adhere better.
Step2
Measure and mark. On each 2 x 4, mark points at 3 1/2", 8 1/2", 13 1/2", 18 1/2", 23 1/2" and 28 1/2". These will be the centerpoints for each 1 x 3. On each 1 x 3, mark at 6", 24" and 42" straight down the center of the board. For example, the first mark should be an inch and a half from either side of the board and 6 inches down the length. The second mark will be an inch and a half from either side and 24 inches down the length. Drill guideholes at each mark. Do not drill all the way through the 2x4's, the screws will not penetrate the opposite side of the wood. A guidehole is one bit-size smaller than the screw or nail that you will be using to attach the boards.
Step3
Painting. Paint each board on all sides. Be careful not to fill in the guideholes. Set the boards aside and allow them to dry for however long your particular all-weather paint recommends. Painting the boards before you attach them allows for a much more even, finished look and saves you a world of trouble by avoiding having to paint in tiny crevices.
Step4
Attaching the boards. Lay the 2 x 4's out on a flat surface with one and a half feet of space in between them. Line up each 1 x 3 slat vertically, matching up the guideholes. Screw or nail the boards into place.
Step5
Attaching the lock and hinges. On the backside (the side which will ultimately face into your garden) of the first and third 2 x 4, center and screw on the hinges. Before you attach the lock, hang the gate by screwing the other side of the hinges into the fencepost. To attach the lock, follow the instructions given on the package of your particular style. Most bolt-style locks simply screw into the wood directly.
Novice 
