How To Build a Garden Gate

Choosing to fence a garden means you need a gate to get in. Here’s how to build a garden gate using a nifty tool called a Kreg Jig.

1: Looking to build a garden gate? First you have to measure for the gate you’ll need.

First, measure the length and width of the opening you need gated. Don’t measure it super tight to the ground or either connecting post, or you will have issues opening the gate.

2: Before you build your garden gate, gather your supplies.

Things you will need to build a garden gate: lumber, a Kreg Jig, drill, drill bit, driver, screws, two hinges, a latch, a stapler, and netting.

3: Measure and cut for your garden gate.

Cut two long pieces (to be the left and right sides of your gate, measurements determined by gate needed) from whatever lumber you are using. We always try to use salvaged stuff from around the farm whenever possible—this project had us using rough sawn oak 1 x 3.5s from a round pen we took down (which we built from wood from the roof of the old garage we took down…which was was built from wood from the house that originally stood on this property…)

We love to save money in the garden—or anywhere—don’t you?

After you have the sides cut, lay them out to mock up the gate. Set them apart at the width you need the gate to be so you can figure out what the top, middle, and bottom boards should be cut at. Cut those three boards.

4: Join the boards with a kreg jig.

In order to build a garden gate, you’ve got to join the boards—and this is where the Kreg Jig comes in.

Directions are included with the Kreg jig for how to use, but it’s basically a super awesome tool you can clamp onto a board that, after setting depths specific to your project, will allow you to drill a pocket hole into a board to create a spot to place a screw for hidden joinery.

It’s so fancy, y’all! And the perfect tool for building a garden gate!

Here’s me creating the pocket hole with the Kreg jig…

…and here’s what those pocket holes look like when done.

Drill all the pieces of wood in the places they need to be drilled. For our gate pieces, that would be both ends of the three short pieces that make up your top, middle, and bottom boards.

Clamp the pieces of wood together to help hold them steady, and screw that gate together.

That wasn’t hard, was it? Let’s keep going!

5: Cover the garden gate with wire or netting

We covered our gate with netting, but you can use chicken wire or whatever else you’ve surrounded the rest of the garden with. Staple the netting on like so:

6: Hang the garden gate.

Now the gate is ready to hang. Two hinges (remember to hang the gate so it can easily swing open) and a latch—your garden gate is complete!

And you doubted your ability to build a garden gate? Pshaw. I knew you could do it the whole time.

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