Do It Yourself Scalloped Picket Fencing

Lay out the fence row. Keep it straight by placing string and stakes in the ground where you intend to build the fence. Measure the length to determine how many panels you need to build. Typically, panels are no more than 8 feet long, or they may sag.

Cut two pieces of 1-by-3-inch lumber to the length you determined for each panel using a circular saw. These are the cross members. Cut pickets to varying lengths to create the scallop you want. You need a pair of each length for each panel, plus one shorter one for the middle picket. Cut the tops of each picket to give the profile you want, for example, dog ear or pointed.

Lay out a set of pickets for one panel on a flat work surface so all the bottoms are in a straight line. Cut a piece of scrap lumber to use as a template to space the pickets evenly. Place the horizontal pieces across the picket panel so there are 2 inches overhanging the pickets on both sides. Hold the panel pieces together with wood clamps.

Drill pilot holes through the horizontal pieces and at least 1/2 inch into the pickets. Place two galvanized screws into each picket on the top and bottom horizontal pieces.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all the panels are complete.

Dig post holes for the picket fence using an auger. Each post hole should be below the freeze line to keep the post from heaving out of the ground during the spring thaw.

Place 2 inches of gravel into each post hole with a shovel. Mix quick set concrete according to package directions. Place a small amount into a post hole. Set a post into the hole. Hold a carpenter’s level against it to ensure the post is straight up and down. Finish filling the hole with concrete. Create a mound at the top of the post hole so water drains away from the post. Set all the posts in a similar manner.

Hold a panel in position between two posts. Mark on the posts where to place the lower panel brackets. Secure the panel brackets with screws from their assembly kit. Set the panel into the brackets and fasten it to the brackets with screws from the assembly kit.

Slide the top panel brackets over the top horizontal piece of each panel. Secure these brackets to the post and then to the panel.

Set all the panels in place in a similar manner.

Cut the fence posts to a similar height, if necessary, using a circular saw. Add post caps, if desired. Secure them in place with screws included in their assembly kit.