What’s on your Honey-do list this weekend? Is it full? Is there no hope of getting it all done? Ever.
Well far be it for me to add just one more thing to it but this is just so easy and so rewarding not to mention it’s a one man….er woman…job.
Maybe you’re like me and you have this huge eye sore in your yard that you’ve always wanted to hide or maybe you just like pallets or vertical gardening. Or maybe you’re all like, ‘If Jamie’s doing in her yard, we’re doing it ours’. Hey. It could happen.
Whatever your reason I think you’ll enjoy how easy this project is and you’ll enjoy the fact that, if you’re a gal, you can concentrate on this project while your Honey concentrates on that To-do List.
Here’s what you need:
Free pallets are out there and once you find them you’ll see them every where the way you do your car. You know, the one you swore no one else had.
You’ll also need:
– Post hole Digger (or shovel)
– 8 – 2 1/2″ Screws (Galvanized for outdoor use, being best)
– Cinder block (or anything else you can use to rest your pallet on while screwing it to your posts. This will be your second set of hands)
– Drill and 1/8″ drill bit (for pre-drilling holes)
– A level
First you’ll want to lay your pallets down side by side (the way they will be once they’re hung) and measure width ways to determine the spacing between your posts. Dig the holes for your posts. We put approx 2 ft’ of our post in the ground. Follow package directions on Quikrete bag for hole size and mixing the concrete. You’ll need to wait 24 hours for concrete to set before attaching pallets.
In the meantime, pre-drill 4 holes on each of your pallets two on top, two on bottom. Pre-drilling can seem scary but, trust me, it makes things much easier in the long run. Depending on your pallet, you may have to pre-drill your hole at an angle. Don’t let this scare you. There will probably a cross piece in your way preventing you from drilling straight. No big deal! Just decide where you want your hole to go and pre-drill the hole. This is the same way your screw will go in later. I would suggest drilling your hole at a downward angle on the top of your pallet because your pallet will essentially “hang” from these screws and it will provide better support to put the screws in at the top on a downward angle. Other than that, just drill. You can do it.
The next day stand one pallet up against two posts. Raise the pallet to your desired height by using a cinder block or something comparable. Take your level and sit it on top of the pallet. Level out the pallet as best you can then screw down the top with two screws. {In case you need to readjust, don’t screw in all four screws until both pallets are in place and level.}
Once you have the first in place then stand, raise and level the second pallet with the top of the first pallet. Then, screw it down. PLEASE NOTE: Pallets are not very “square” – meaning they can easily throw of your attempt at leveling. When you have both pallets relatively level, screw in bottom screws and you’re done!
Now, you might be saying, that doesn’t really look like much and I even broke a sweat! But that’s because we haven’t decorated yet.
Join me next week, just in time for the weekend, for Phase II and be sure to join me on Facebook because you’re missing out if you haven’t!
Click here for Phase II ~ Decorating
Anonymous says
wow! this is a great idea……I have been looking around for fencing ideas which were very expensive! but this is wonderful! thanks for sharing
Jamie Lott says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Anonymous says
Wish I knew about this before I had a brick fence built.
It was just to keep my dog in my yard.
Jamie Lott says
Well. On a positive note, I’m sure the brick is beautiful! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Patience says
Any ideas for keeping it up without having to cement into the ground? We don’t have enough room to dig between the patio and the tank.
jamie says
Maybe put the cement into a decorative container and put the posts in those? That way you don’t have to dig, it’ll weigh enough it should still be safe in severe weather and it’s also movable. You could even place plants on top of the cement to hide it!