How to Build a Beautiful Garden Gate in 6 Simple Steps

This DIY will ensure that you’re the only one eating those fruits and veggies

Gate to a flower garden
Photo: PATSTOCK / Moment / Getty Images
Gate to a flower garden
Photo: PATSTOCK / Moment / Getty Images
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
COMPLETION TIME
1 day
COST
$100–$500
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon
What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Tape measure
  • Shovel
  • Pencil
  • Speed square
  • Handheld or compound miter saw
SUPPLIES
  • 3 x 50-lb bags of ¾” crushed gravel
  • 3 x 80-lb bags of concrete
  • 1 x 8-ft 3x3” wood post
  • 3 x 6-ft 1x4” wood boards
  • 8 x galvanized wood or deck screws

Garden gates are essential for keeping out unwanted visitors, like pets who dig up your prized begonias or bunnies that eat all your leafy greens before they’ve even finished growing. While you can hire a pro to build a barrier for you, it’s a relatively easy project to do yourself if you don’t mind getting a little dirty—and you can save quite a bit in labor expenses by going the DIY route. Follow the steps below to learn how to build a garden gate with common tools and equipment. 

Prepping to Build a Garden Gate

The material you use to build your gate will most likely be determined by what your existing fence is made of. Wood is most common for this type of fence, but you may also have a less expensive wire or chain link fence

You’ll also need to consider what size you want your gate to be, as this will determine the materials you’ll need. The following guide breaks down how to build a square gate that’s 3 feet wide and does not already have posts in place. Most of the time, you can adjust the size depending on your needs with simple calculations.

  1. Measure and Cut Gate Posts to Proper Dimensions

    Man cutting a piece of wood
    Photo: seksan Mongkhonkhamsao / Moment / Getty Images

    First off, measure the space where the gate will go and be sure to account for the room it needs to swing open and shut. While the gate itself will be 3 feet tall and wide, the posts will need to be an extra foot long to account for the part that’s buried in the ground. 

    • Use a tape measure and pencil to divide the posts into 4-foot sections. Draw a line where you’ll need to cut.  

    • Place the post on a sturdy surface and cut along the marked line with a hand saw. 

  2. Install Posts With Gravel and Concrete

    Have a shovel, gravel, and concrete at the ready. Having another person around to hold the gate post steady while you pour in the concrete may also be helpful. If you’re adjusting for size, all you need is a simple formula to determine exactly how much concrete you’ll need for each gate post.

    • Use a tape measure to determine where to place the posts. There will need to be a half-inch gap between the posts and the gate itself to allow for ample opening and closing space. Use spray paint or tape to mark the ground where you plan to dig. 

    • Dig a 1-foot cubic hole on each side. 

    • Fill each hole with 6 inches of gravel or roughly one and a half bags. 

    • Place the posts into the holes and hold them steady with a weighted material (like a rock or another wood post). 

    • Check that each post is upright and in line with the other with a level. 

    • Prepare concrete according to package instructions. 

    • Fill each post hole with concrete until it reaches the ground line. This will require approximately one and a half bags each. 

    • Allow the concrete to cure completely. Depending on weather conditions, this could take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. Keep the weighted material on top of the posts to prevent them from shifting during curing. 

  3. Construct Miter Joints With Wood Boards

    While the concrete is drying, you can start constructing the rest of the fence, starting with cutting the wood boards to fit. 

    • Start by cutting 1-by-4-inch wood boards with a hand saw so they are each 3 feet long. 

    • Use a speed square to mark a 45-degree angle on both sides of one board. Repeat with the remaining boards. 

    • Working one at a time, place the wood board on a sturdy surface and use a hand or compound miter saw to cut down the marked line. Repeat until all boards are accounted for. 

    • Lay boards down and arrange the angles to fit neatly together. Use a drill to secure with two deck screws per side. Repeat until all boards are attached. 

  4. Cut and Attach Support Board

    Working on a garden house
    Photo: AleksandarNakic / E+ / Getty Images

    While you can get away with not including this additional board, which will run diagonally along the center of your gate, it adds an extra layer of support that prevents damage in the long run. 

    • Cut the final wood board into 3-foot pieces. 

    • Use a speed square to mark both ends of one of these pieces with two 45-degree angles to create a triangular shape. 

    • Use a hand saw or compound miter saw to cut along marked lines.

    • Lay the wooden board diagonally across the rest of your gate. From the front, drill in three deck screws per side to secure. 

  5. Attach Chicken or Hog Wire With Staple Gun

    This is another optional step that will better protect your garden from hungry pests, but you can skip it if you don’t have the time or the budget. 

    • Roll out chicken or hog wire and place it on top of the gate. Cut to remove excess. 

    • Use a staple gun all around the gate's frame to secure wiring. 

  6. Place Gate and Install Hardware

    Open wooden gate and fence
    Photo: rodho / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Once the concrete for your posts has finished curing, you’re almost done installing your new garden fence gate. 

    • Attach the short side of both hinges to the top and bottom of one side of the gate with deck screws and a drill. 

    • Screw in the gate-side piece of the gate latch.

    • Place the gate into the opening and lay a heavy object on top of it, like another wood post, to keep everything in place while you install the rest. Use a level to make sure it’s plumb with the posts. 

    • Use a drill to attach the long side of the hinges to the gate post with deck screws. 

    • Attach the remaining gate latch piece to the corresponding post with the same technique. 

  7. Test Gate

    After you’ve completed the previous steps, the only thing left to do is make sure that the gate functions as it should. Open and close it several times, and engage the latch a few times as well. If everything works properly, you can move on to other DIYs! 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

The cost to hire a pro to install a garden fence with a gate can range from $275 to $2,000 for everything involved—especially if you’re springing for one of many great privacy fence ideas. While this project is a straightforward DIY, it won’t add a ton to your budget if you hire a fence company near you to do it instead, considering the cost of the materials and tools required. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which way your garden gate opens mainly comes down to preference. While other types of gates, like one leading from the sidewalk to your property, should swing inward rather than outward to avoid opening into a public space, you don’t have to worry about such an issue in a backyard garden. However, a garden gate that swings inward may still be useful when carrying heavy loads into the space, like a wheelbarrow filled with mulch or heavy wood boards for building new garden beds.

This depends mainly on how well the posts were installed and what type of wood was used to build the gate in the first place. Softwoods have a life expectancy of up to 15 years but can last slightly longer with regular maintenance and waterproofing treatments. By contrast, hardwoods can last up to 30 years with little care, so you may avoid costly replacements by spending a little more upfront.

Proper care and regular maintenance are the secrets to a garden gate's longer lifespan. In general, aim to clean it every few months to remove mold, mildew, moss, or the like. Once a year, you should also treat it with wood oil, as this substance provides UV protection and disguises any warping or erosion that may have already occurred.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to fencing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Swimming Pool Fence
Dec 18, 2024
Dec 18, 2024
Pool fence costs depend on the type of fencing and the size of your pool. This guide will help you figure out the true cost of pool fence installation.
Barbed Wire Fence
Dec 18, 2024
Dec 18, 2024
The cost of a barbed wire fence depends mainly on how large your property is. If you have a longer fence, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars.
New Aluminum Fence
Dec 19, 2024
Dec 19, 2024
Aluminum fence costs depend on your fence’s height, thickness, design, and length. Explore all the cost factors in this guide.
Child looking at a sheep poking through the fence
Feb 9, 2024
Feb 9, 2024
If you’re considering adding a wire fence to your property, you have choice. Keep reading for a breakdown of 10 types of wire fences.
A young deer looks at roses in California backyard
Jan 3, 2024
Jan 3, 2024
Building a deer fence for your garden can keep your plants safe from pests big and small. Learn about seven types of fences that can get the job done.
A suburban house with chain link fence on the front lawn
Nov 15, 2023
Nov 15, 2023
Explore 5 common types of chain link fences: galvanized, vinyl-coated, privacy, mini-mesh, and security. Find the perfect fit for your property needs.
Share project details to get started.