How to Anchor Arbor With Rebar

Does your picture-perfect yard include an elegant arbor? Is it the entry to your garden, a framework covered in climbing vines, or a cover for a seat or swing? Whether you buy it already assembled or build it on your own, it's important to anchor your arbor securely. Without proper footings, strong winds can knock over the structure, and if you have a swing attached, weak footings might not stand the strain of use that pulls the arbor in different directions. Adding reinforcement bar, or rebar, to the footings when you sink them can add the stability you need.

Arbor structure
Shovel
Sledgehammer, hammer drill or rebar hammer
2 pieces of No. 4 rebar per footing, 8 inches longer than depth of footing hole
Gravel
Concrete
Concrete pouring tube, if necessary

Instructions

Anchoring
- 1
  
  You might need to adjust your digging to the soil type.
  
  Dig footing holes 6 inches below the frost line. This will prevent the arbor from moving as the ground freezes and thaws. Contact your local extension service if you don't know how deep the frost line goes.
- 2
  
  Tamp down the gravel with something heavy.
  
  Compact 2 to 3 inches of gravel at the bottom of each footing hole. This allows water to quickly drain out.
- 3
  
  Rebar can be coated to keep it from rusting.
  
  Insert 2 pieces of rebar per hole, a few inches apart. Push the rods into the ground until they are a couple of inches below the top of the footing.
- 4
  
  Arbors used for climbing vines need maintenance.
  
  Fill the hole with concrete to 3 inches above ground level to keep the arbor posts from rotting. Set the posts into the concrete per your building directions.

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How to Anchor Arbor With Rebar

Instructions

Anchoring