How to Make a Garden Picket Fence

Whether it is meant to hedge out unwanted fauna from getting to the garden or just to spruce up the look of the yard, the picket fence has long been a popular way of enhancing the aesthetic of homes and gardens everywhere. With just a bit of planning and preparation, this is a relatively easy home improvement project that can bring years of lasting enjoyment to any household.

Things You'll Need

• 4-inch-by-4-inch posts
• 6-inch-by-6-inch gate posts
• 2-inch-by-4-inch rails
• Precut and pretreated pickets
• Fast-drying cement
• Measuring tape
• Post hole digger
• Hand drill
• Rope
• Galvanized screws
• Hinges
• Bolt
• Latch

Instructions

1. Mark the location in which the fence will be built. Use rope to run straight lines between the spots where the corner posts will stand. This will serve as a guideline to make certain that the fence is straight and precise.

2. Mark the locations of where the support posts will stand. Maintain a distance of at least 1 foot between posts. Leave at least one 2-foot wide (or wider as desired) section available in order to install the gate.

3. Use the post hole digger to make 2-foot deep holes at each of the post locations. At the location of the gate, make the two holes at least 3 feet deep, as they will need to bear the weight of a free-swinging gate and thus will need to be more sturdy. Keep the dirt and soil removed so it may be packed back down over the cement around the posts.

4. Place an approximately 2-inch deep gravel bed in each of the holes to serve as a support for the posts.

5. Insert a post into each of the holes, making sure that each one stands level and erect.

6. Mix the fast-drying cement and fill in the holes around the posts to 1 inch below the rim. Let the cement fully set (usually 48 to 72 hours) before proceeding.

7. Pack saved dirt and soil around the base of each post generously.

8. Drill three sets of guide holes in the posts. The first set should be near the top of the post, the second in the center and the last approximately 6 inches above ground level.

9. Attach the rails between the posts, using the predrilled guide holes as attachment points.

10. Drill pairs of guide holes along the rails in 2- to 3-inch intervals, depending on how wide you want the pickets to be placed.

11. Attach the pickets via the predrilled guide holes using galvanized screws.

12. Create the frame for the gate. To do this, build a square using the 4-inch-by-4-inch posts. The size should be just shy of that left available for the gate area so the gate can open and close freely. Attach an additional post diagonally in the center of each square to act as added support for the frame.

13. Attach pickets to the frame in the same manner and spacing as they have been attached to the fence itself.

14. Attach the hinges to the framed gate and then attach the entire gate to one of the gate posts, making certain that it is level with the rest of the fence.

15. Attach the gate portion of the latch mechanism to the side of the gate opposite the hinges and then attach the post portion of the latch.

References

• Fence Installation