Pergolas

[chris]

I quite fancy building one. Do they come as kits? Can you take the width / span of them down? - I can't deicde if I'd like one either over my decking (though, its' the BBQ site really..), or over the kitchen window/path which leads to the decking along the backside of the house. (south-south-east facing I think).

I'd like to try growing grapes up it (hoping they'll survive the winter), and depending on where I site it I can get them in the open ground.. however both places where they'd be planted have quite a large palm tree on (which my neighbours says have flowered for the first time - 5 huge spears with tiny white flowers all over - really nice, loads of bees around too.) - so may be shaded during the later parts of the day until the vine grows up over it.

I've had a search, but most of the posts are quite old.. do any of you have pergolas over decking? If so any chance you can bung a piccy up please? Would like to see how it looks. Will upload a couple of photos where I'm thinking of building it later.

Have any of you stained your pergola, and are growing edibles up it? I know most fence paints are "plant safe" but none say veg safe.

Do Rasberries grow high? I've an All Gold that seems to be growing madly - over the wall where the decking is.. have wondered ifI could train it up a post.

[Bigmallly]

I put a 20 foot x 10 foot one up myself a couple of years ago, really easy. When I get home from work, I'll take a couple of pics of the joints, supports etc and hope it helps.

[chris]

Thanks. Do you need to cut the join sections out yourself?

Was just reading your thread about what to grow up it too

[Bigmallly]

Thanks. Do you need to cut the join sections out yourself?

Was just reading your thread about what to grow up it too

It's easy, believe me. I can't explain in words, it'll be far easier wi pics youl'll see.

[Bigmallly]

Luckily, I have nothing growing up it at the mo, everything is really slow so should get some good shots for you.

[Pumpkin Becki]

This is my pergola. Custom-built by our builders when they did the raised beds and patio for us. The extra bit of patio you can see (between the two raised beds) is now home to our enormous 3 seater swing seat.

[Bigmallly]

Hi Chris, as promised I took some pics so will try & talk you through it. Firstly I bought 6 8foot lengths of 4"x4" posts and due to me building on flags, had to fasten them in these.

[Bigmallly]

Once the posts are in position you need to level the tops with string or & spirit level, this can be done before you put them in the post brackets if easier.
You then need to cut notches out of the top of the post to support the cross members (Down the longest length of the pergola). These are then bolted to the posts. I also added 45 degree timbers to give extra support.

[Bigmallly]

Now we are ready to put the cross members across the width of the pergola. I fasten 6 lengths of 5"x 3" across the first set of cross members, just cut a couple of notches in each length. You can add brackets if you wish to give extra stability to them.

[Bigmallly]

Voila!..........finished. Please note to any joiners out there, I am not a joiner so please don't have a go at my half hearted attempt at joints..........

[CaroltheCarrot]

I am now suffering from pergola envy

[chris]

Great stuff - really them them both, thank you for going to the effort of taking the photos PB & BM!

Definately going to do it, just gotta decide where to do it now.. doesn't seem too difficult.

cheers!

[Bigmallly]

You know you can always give us a shout if you get stuck.

[Pumpkin Becki]

You're very welcome chris

[Tomatoking]

Guess what Mrs TK wants now!

Thanks for all your ideas though. I think I will go down the DIY route of BM's with some raised planters like PB.

I have been saving lots of large granite stones from around the place, so should have enough. I knew it would come in handy one day.