| Author | Content |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
September 3, 2006
9:06 PM Post #2688758
| It all started when I found these gazebos on clearence at Home Depot so I took one home and set it up in my backyard.
then...I decided to take the various extra pavers and bricks I had on hand and pave the area under it. I dug out the sod, put in layers of sand and gravel, made a base of treated 4x4's and installed the gazebo. I put a picnic table under it.
then...I found lawn furniture on sale 60% off, so I brought a set home.
then...I decided to landscape around it a bit so I built raised beds on the corners and planted the "shady" plants I had purchased a few weeks before at a garden club sale.
then...It rained and I realized the water dripping from the gazebo was splashing in the new beds and making a real mess. I wheelbarrowed some flat rocks down from the creek at the back of my property and build a small wall on the inside of the beds...problem solved.
I still have to make the beds on the other 2 corners but my accidental project is almost finished. Total cost for the entire project, including furniture...less then $400.
Here are a few photos...
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
September 3, 2006
9:07 PM Post #2688764
| Another photo...
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
September 3, 2006
9:08 PM Post #2688768
| One more...
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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sticks_n_stones
Crosbyton, TX
(Zone 7a)
September 3, 2006
9:09 PM Post #2688772
| very nice ...a person of my own heart!!!! |
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
September 3, 2006
9:10 PM Post #2688775
| Great job!! I would have never guessed that you spent so little!! It looks like a million bucks. |
henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
September 8, 2006
12:17 PM Post #2703298
| REALLY NIce!
Funny how projects mushroom like that isn't it! lol!
I especially like it against that Zig Zag Fence.
All in All a very pretty setting.
I inherited a gazebo frame a few weeks ago.
(well actually just the bottom part)
I may be stealing a few ideas from you. ;-)
Ric |
Anaid
San Antonio, TX
September 24, 2006
1:28 AM Post #2753993
| Im glad I found your posting cuz I have a gazebo with the very same top but the frame is a little different. Mine also has mosquito netting I can keep open or close. I've recently drawn up plants to similary make a base but mine will be a little extended as it will have a walk way leading up to it from two different areas. Im glad to hear about the run off from the top as I hadnt considered that. I dont anticipate having much trouble in that same reagrd as I dont have beds like yours but rather very large pots with my favorite hibiscus and other tropicals in each corner. Once I get started on my project I will also post pics. Thanks for sharing |
Tir_Na_Nog
Houston
(United States)
(Zone 9b)
October 6, 2006
7:46 PM Post #2792496
| Early,
Looks so relaxing! Love the expanse of the yard. What a treat! |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 7, 2006
11:14 AM Post #2793914
| Anaid, I'm looking forward to your photos. JI am planning to add a walkway in the future. The runnoff from the top could have been controlled with mulch but I added the extra flat stone to give it a more finished look. Thanks Tir_Na_Nog. It is very relaxing. I posted some better photos of the project here:
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Thanks, early_bloomer |
ksgarden95
Hesston, KS
April 14, 2007
6:05 PM Post #3392213
| Early_Bloomer, how did you anchor your gazebo? I bought a gazebo and an unexpected storm came through and blew it over, bending the frame. Not sure if I can get it back up or not, and wondered how to better secure it next time. Thanks! |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
April 14, 2007
9:02 PM Post #3392868
| ks...the gazebo is sitting on a base of treated 4x4s I lap-jointed and screwed together on the ends which gave me a 1 piece base with quite a bit of weight. As an extra precaution I drilled holes in the 4x4s and drove rebar stakes through them into the ground. The gazebo is atached to the 4x4s with galvanized deck screws.
early_bloomer |
jollie_hanna
Monmouth, OR
(Zone 8a)
April 14, 2007
9:10 PM Post #3392874
| Early_Bloomer~
What a fun project! I just passed a gazebo in Costco today & fell in love. After seeing your pictures I am even more set on the idea of adding one to my yard. I liked your $$ expense though. :) The one @ Costco was $1700.00 :-( Thanks for sharing your project! :) |
HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
April 15, 2007
4:51 AM Post #3393309
| EB, I remember this project everytime I see a gazebo. So beautiful and creative. I was wondering if you took it down for the winter, and if you didn't how did it do? Holly |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
April 15, 2007
5:39 AM Post #3393435
| Holly, I took the entire roof off late last fall and left the 4 corner supports standing. I doubt if it would have stood up to the heavy snows we had this winter.
Photo...Easter Sunday '07
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
April 15, 2007
6:03 AM Post #3393513
| Looks like it is doing well, and adds a little architectural interest for winter, too. I was looking at one last week. Ric doesn't want me to buy one he wants to build me one. But there are so many other projects and those canvas tops are so cute too. |
henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
April 15, 2007
7:04 AM Post #3393775
| Anchor that puppy at least as well as E_B did.
Mine was aquired from the curb... the wind smashed our neighbor's unit...
The top is in pretty bad shape (and the canvas in the next county I guess) but it makes a killer Garden Ornament/Divider-room...
Ric |
haighr
Hagerstown, MD
(Zone 6a)
April 24, 2007
4:03 AM Post #3424682
| Beautiful setting E_B. Especially love the candelabra. |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
April 24, 2007
12:16 PM Post #3426151
| Thanks haighr, the candelabra was a garage sale find.
early_bloomer |
haighr
Hagerstown, MD
(Zone 6a)
April 25, 2007
3:25 AM Post #3428177
| Wow, I am gonna have to start doing some of that yard sale stuff, never seem to bother but always hear of the great purchases. I think about it and then decide I already have enough stuff that I don't know what to do with LOL! |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
May 28, 2007
9:11 PM Post #3546652
| Updated photo of gazebo taken this morning. The plants are starting to fill in pretty well now and it has a more finished look.
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
May 28, 2007
9:17 PM Post #3546679
| Wow! Your yard looks like a park!! |
HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
May 29, 2007
7:44 AM Post #3547958
| EB, I'm so glad to see the updated photo, looks great. Your project was such an inspiration to me. I hope you think that imitation is the best form of flattery. My dear parents bought a gazebo for me a couple of weeks ago. I'll be using railroad ties and used bricks for the floor and extending the rr ties out far enough to edge the flower beds on the corners. We set up just the metal frame and have been moving it around so I could decide exactly where I want it to set. Thanks so much for the inspiration, my yard will be more beautiful thanks to your imagination. Holly |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
May 29, 2007
5:01 PM Post #3549843
| Thanks Holly. I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of yours when it's finished.
early_bloomer |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
June 16, 2007
1:24 PM Post #3622162
| I also purchased one of these at Home Depot last summer on sale. This year I am having a concrete 10' X 11' pad poured to anchor it down as it topples every time the winds blows hard. |
HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
July 24, 2007
9:43 PM Post #3775889
| EB, It's certainly not finished yet, but it is up, secured to a couple of RR ties and has weathered a few storms. There will be a brick floor and much larger flower beds later. The hummingbird feeder is right next to it and the birdbath/fountain pond and other bird feeders as well as the pool are close by. I take my morning paper out first thing along with my morning muffin. Watch all the birds coming and going to the feeders and birdbath, listen to their morning calls and the gentle sound of the fountain. I think I could spend the whole day out there. Mine has a serving bar on one side and we have been doing a lot of eating and entertaining there. Since our house is solar we don't have any large trees close to the back of the house and getting a little spot of shade really made a big difference and it will be a foundation for more flower beds. Thanks so much for inspiring me. Holly 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
July 24, 2007
10:34 PM Post #3776114
| That looks great Holly. Those railroad ties make a good sturdy foundation. You'll never have to worry about it blowing away. Like you, I find mine is a favorite place to sit, read, and listen to the birds. I particularly like sitting there when it's raining. Keep us updated. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
July 24, 2007
11:04 PM Post #3776242
| I will, but it's a good chance that it won't go much farther this summer. I need to come up with more used bricks. I've been seeing a lot of them listed free in the paper but there always gone by the time I call. In the last pic you can just see the RR tie and brick patio at the back of the house, so this will go very well with what is already in place. Here is a shot looking from the house patio out. Ric put 2 little flower beds in but they will be enlarged. This view you can see what use to be part of the pasture. That's the neighbors partially painted garage in the background. I have a row of Leland Cypress planted along that side that will block the view of their house in the next couple of years. And the guys are going to have to find another spot to park those boats. LOL 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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SCNewbie
Anderson, SC
(Zone 7b)
September 9, 2007
3:50 PM Post #3955295
| These gazebo pics are so beautiful & inspiring!! I love your yards with the old trees! There aren't any sizeable trees in my 1 acre yard right now (developer took them out), but I'm going to be putting some in this fall.
I fell in love with that gazebo at HD, too, but wouldn't buy it because I knew it would never last in my yard with the winds we get. Two of my uncles bought it, tho, and they've both had theirs damaged by wind, even when they were in much more protected areas than mine would've been.
This thread has reinspired me and I think I'm going to build one myself with galvanized steel rods anchored deep in the ground. Thank you!! :))) |
Photographer
Moxee, WA
(Zone 4a)
September 14, 2007
9:35 AM Post #3974123
| Early_Bloomer, My wife & I have debated whether to have a gazebo and concluded the wind here would almost certainly blow it away or rip the canvas off and blow it away. That is nearly what happens to our umbrellas when they're collapsed. Your lawn & trees are really beautiful. 80% of our trees are still quite immature except for the 1 Oak tree of about 50 years and 1 Birch tree close to the same age. We have 2 Catalpa, 2 Austrian Pines & 2 Bradford Pear trees growing fast and a nice row of Arborvitae developing as a hedge/wall.
The winter snow could become a problem for your Gazebo if the tree branches ever get overladen too much. Perhaps the canvas is removable to curtail winter snow related problems. Best wishes. It is perfect. |
HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
August 22, 2008
1:32 AM Post #5450734
| Early_Bloomer, I have updated pictures of my Gazebo and a thread showing the whole project from the start. It is still not entirely finished as we will be expanding the brick floor beyond the Gazebo and that will come later. I did the same as you last winter and removed the canvas top and let the 4 corner supports stand. I am very happy with my used brick floor but it isn't anywhere near as interesting as yours.
I haven't seen any posts from you lately but wanted to get back to this thread since it was such an inspiration for me.
Here is the link to my pictures. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
August 22, 2008
6:12 PM Post #5453892
| Wow Holly, that's really looking great! I went over to the other link and looked at all the photos. It's nice to see the photos of the project in various stages. I've been doing the same thing myself while working on a new project this summer. The extra brick border and pathway you are planning for the outside of the gazebo is an excellent idea.
Here's what I'm up too this summer. Once I get it finished I'm going to post the entire project somewhere on Dave's.
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
August 22, 2008
7:06 PM Post #5454112
| Oh that is really nice can't wait to see it all finished. Looks like you put quite a bit of work into that. What all are you going to plant in there? What is going on those Arbors?
Ric and I have been doing some rock work, too. We put in a stone walkway and new stone walled flower bed. Plus some other projects as well. We only just got to move around to the backyard and put some more time into the gazebo. When ever we get to the next step in the project I'll let you know. Holly
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LiliMerci
North of Atlanta, GA
(Zone 8a)
October 1, 2008
10:28 AM Post #5621204
| Hi! I was on here looking for pergola ideas for next summer and saw all your photos. They are so pretty. Wish I had enough room in my yard for one. I have too many trees and my backyard is on a hill so I can't do it. In the back corner of my house I have a pergola and it gets some sun, but not full sun. I've had it for 5 years now but haven't planted anything on it yet. So I'm looking around for some ideas. Early_Bloomer, I can not wait to see your finished garden. It's incredible! You should post it in your journal and then post a link for us on a thread here for updates so we can see your progress as you go along. |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 1, 2008
6:37 PM Post #5622906
| Thanks! I have photos of the project from start till almost finished. I'm planning on posting the whole series here somewhere this fall.
Here are a few updates.
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 1, 2008
6:38 PM Post #5622911
| Another...
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 1, 2008
6:40 PM Post #5622921
| One more...
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pilot172
Palatine, IL
October 9, 2008
9:30 AM Post #5650490
| Wow! what a lovely space to relax. I have a gazebo area on the deck that overlooks a pond that my family and I enjoy quite often. We were tempted with the savings that a gazebo similiar to yours would offer, however, here in Chicago the winters are quite brutal, there have been years when the snow really piles up. We were impressed with the many styles of gazebos that were available and ended up purchasing a 12' x 18' oval gazebo for our backyard. Since its completion we've really enjoyed it, my next project is to run cable out to the gazebo so I can watch the cubs try again next season. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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LiliMerci
North of Atlanta, GA
(Zone 8a)
October 9, 2008
1:52 PM Post #5651584
| I love that you used the stained glass for your yard art. Very creative. |
MySharona
Fernandina Beach, FL
(Zone 9a)
October 9, 2008
2:30 PM Post #5651708
| Pilot - That's a beautiful Gazebo! |
HollyAnnS
Dover, PA
(Zone 6b)
October 12, 2008
9:09 PM Post #5664031
| EB, That is coming along very nicely. It will be beautiful next summer and you have a lot of winter interest there as well. You certainly have a good eye for design.
Pilot, I almost picked up one just like that a couple of years ago. It was a display model at a home show with special pricing. I know what you mean about the snow I have removed my canvas top and curtains for the winter and stored them away. |
Early_Bloomer
Springboro, PA
(Zone 5a)
October 12, 2008
11:42 PM Post #5664662
| pilot...Awesome gazebo!!!
Thanks Holly, Lili. I've almost finished this project. I've added a stepping stone pathway (sunk to ground level so I can mow over them) and still want to add some trim to the 4 corner posts. I planted some mums, daylilys and knockout roses for now and have the whole winter to decide what else to put in there.
Photo: some of the stepping stones before I sunk them into the ground.
early_bloomer
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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graceful_garden
Hahira, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 14, 2008
11:32 AM Post #5670157
| Just gorgeous!! (AND very inspiring!) Samantha |
