How to Build a Pergola Trellis
Dining outdoors under your pergola trellis is a sensational way to enjoy warm summer evenings and cool fall nights. Use the space for entertaining friends and family and enjoying the outdoors. Stain or paint the pergola for an attractive design to contrast with your garden flowers and enliven your outdoor space. Depending upon the available space, outdoor pergolas can be built in any size and shape, making them very versatile and functional. Hang outdoor lights or paper lanterns from the ceiling of your pergola for an enchanting glow. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rake
- Shovel
- Hedge posts
- Stones
- Climbing plants
- Pots
- Outdoor material
- Electric drill
- Wood screws
- Flexible edging
- Small pebbles
Instructions
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1
Clear out weeds and rocks in the area where you plan to install the pergola. Rake the ground to ensure the space is level and free of debris.
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2
Dig a hole in the ground for each of the four hedge posts. Dig deep enough so that one half of the post is buried in the ground. For an average-sized pergola, use hedge posts between 10 and 15 feet tall.
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3
Insert the hedge post in the hole and pack the hole with soil. Press firmly to make sure the hedge post is fixed securely in the ground. Lay pebbles or stones around the base of the hedge post for added design and support for the posts.
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4
Attach outdoor canvas or sheer mosquito netting to the top of the hedge posts using wood screws. Pull the canvas taut and with an electric drill, insert four-inch wood screws on each corner of the post. Use one piece of material for the pergola canopy. Allow an additional 1 to 4 feet, so the canvas drapes over the posts.
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5
Plant creeping flowers like grape vines or honeysuckle in pots around the base of each hedge post. Train them to grow up the hedge posts.
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6
Dig out a 6-inch-wide trench around the perimeter of the pergola. Insert five and one quarter flexible landscape edging, which typically comes in rolls of 20 feet. Fill the sides up with remaining soil and press firmly into the ground. Rake the surface again to ensure a smooth surface. Layer 3 to 4 inches of small outdoor stones or pebble under the pergola and along the edging to create a smooth walking surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Build the pergola trellis to use as a space to eat dinner under or for outdoor entertaining. Nestle an outdoor patio set under the structure for a relaxing retreat.
