How to Make a Garden Gate From Wood

Dig a 2-feet deep hole that's 1-foot wide. Place a 2-inch layer of gravel at the bottom of the hole. Set one of the posts horizontally into the hole. Hold the post while filling the hole with cement to within 2 inches of the soil surface. Level the post while the cement is still wet.

Measure and mark from the post across the ground 36 inches. This will be the location for the second post. Use the installation process from the first post to install this post.

Allow the cement to dry for 24 hours.

Lay five 2-by-6-by-46 inch boards vertically on a flat surface. Make the ends flush. Lay a 2-by-4-by-30-inch board across the five boards. Make the ends of the smaller board flush with the sides of the other boards. Move the board to the top of the others, leaving a 2-inch allowance at the top. Hammer a nail through the 30-inch board into each of the underlying boards.

Repeat the process with the other 30-inch board for the bottom of the boards. Leave a 2-inch allowance at the bottom from the cross board. You should have the two short boards nailed across the top and bottom of the group of five boards.

Place the remaining 30-inch board across the gate face so each end touches an opposite end of the cross boards forming a "Z" pattern. This third board will overlap the boards below it. Mark lines on the third board where it intersects with the two lower boards. This becomes the cutting line for the next step.

Saw along the lines cutting off the corners on the third board. Place the board back into position to form the "Z." Make a snug fit by shaving off any excess or uneven cuts with the sandpaper. Hammer a nail through the third board into each of the underlying boards to attach the third board.

Place the cinder block in the center between the two posts. Set the block vertically with the holes facing sideways. Set the gate upon the block between the posts. Line the gate flush with one of the posts. Mark the position of the top and bottom crossbeams on the gate on the post. Holding the gate firmly in place while marking the positions; these are the locations for the hinges.

Line up the posts of the hinges with the post markings. Drill screws into the hinge holes to attach the first half of the hinges to the posts. Set the gate into position between the posts. Line up the crossbeams with the hinge posts. Hold the gate in place. Drill screws through the wings of the hinges into the crossbeams. Place a level on top of the gate to determine if it is straight. Reset the gate if necessary.

Attach the latch bolt to the upper beam at the opposite end of the hinge. Line up the clamp for the latch on the post. Drill screws through the holes in the clamp into the post.