EASY STEPS TO BUILD A PLANT FRAME

Add privacy and colour and create a lush backdrop for your tropical theme with an array of hanging plants on a DIY frame.

Gather your supplies

• Frame 90 x 90mm treated pine posts

• Concrete mix

• 90mm post stirrups

• Black exterior paint

• Stainless steel balustrade kit

• 3.2mm stainless steel wire

• Variety of small plastic troughs

• Potting mix and plants

• Hooks to suit troughs

You’ll also need Tape measure; shovel; spirit level; drill; 10mm masonry drill bit; M10 x 50mm galvanised masonry anchors; countersinking drill bit; long 5mm drill bit; circular saw; chisel; 50 and 150mm galvanised batten screws; pencil; painting gear; 10mm plastic spacers; wire cutters; spanners

Here’s how

STEP 1 Design frame so posts line up with those on deck and cross rail is slightly over handrail level. Extend outside posts to ground below deck. Top of frame is 900mm above handrail and

sits 10mm off it for drainage.

STEP 2 Where outside posts meet ground, dig 200mm holes and fill with concrete to make footings. Leave to set for a few days.

STEP 3 Temporarily screw a stirrup to each outside post, put it in place and use a spirit level to make plumb. Mark positions of stirrup on concrete and also finished height of post to suit design.

STEP 4 Drill holes using a masonry drill bit and bolt stirrup to footing using masonry anchors.

STEP 5 To join toprail to posts, countersink holes for screws, then predrill through them with long 5mm drill bit.

STEP 6 Cut 90mm wide and 45mm deep rebates in central post and cross rail where they intersect to create a halving joint. Use a circular saw set 45mm deep and make multiple passes through timber. Smash out waste then clean rebate bottom with a chisel.

STEP 7 Install centre post and cross rail to suit design, predrilling and using 150mm screws to screw together.

STEP 8 Mark posts for wires. Make first wire 200mm from top rail then

space them 100mm apart. Predrill holes with 5mm bit. On centre post, drill from both sides to go through post.

STEP 9 Use roller to apply 2 coats black paint to frame. Leave to dry after each coat.

STEP 10 Lift frame and sit outside posts in stirrups. Screw through stirrups into posts using 50mm screws and also into posts on deck with 150mm screws. Use spacers between new and old posts to keep separate.

STEP 11 Screw end eye bolts from balustrade kit into holes on outside posts.

STEP 12 Cut wire rows to length. Make them 250mm shorter than opening to allow for fittings. Attach fork terminal to one end of the wires following product instructions. Check one length of wire for fit before cutting them all.

STEP 13 Shackle wires to terminals on one end post and thread through holes in centre post.

STEP 14 Attach turnbuckle and fittings to open end of wires and clip to other end eye bolt. Tighten fittings on wires with spanners going in opposite directions. Use turnbuckle to tighten wires.

STEP 15 Fill troughs with potting mix and plants. Attach hooks. Hang off wires so the troughs lie at an angle to show off plants.