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Charlie makes a frame for climbing plants

Train your garden to grow up with this elegant frame. - by Charlie Albone
  • 28 Jan 2022

With just a few tree and tomato stakes, Charlie builds a simple frame for climbing plants that will be the centrepiece of a former vegie patch, turned French country cottage-style garden.

WATCH: Charlie makes an elegant frame for the garden

Who doesn't want an obelisk in their garden? A grand, towering monument that pays tribute to your toils and trayails. Grand as this may look, its construction is simplicity itself. So add power to your patch, and make it pretty as well!

Garden frame

Gather your supplies

  • Hardwood garden stakes 25 x 25mm x 1.2m (4) 50 x 50mm x 1.8 (4)
  • Marine plywood 1220 x 610 x 18mm
  • Wooden fence capital
  • Exterior spray paint
  • Landscape adhesive

You'll also need

  • Tape measure
  • Handsaw
  • Drill
  • 50mm galvanised screws
  • Masking tape
  • Spirit level
  • Carpenter's pencil
  • 120-grit sandpaper

Here's how

Step 1

How to build a frame step 1

Step 1

Brent Wilson

Measure and cut 25 x 25mm stakes into four 60cm lengths with a saw.

Step 2

How to build a frame step 2

Step 2

Brent Wilson

Lay cut stakes in a square on plywood and temporarily screw together.

Step 3

How to build a frame step 3

Step 3

Brent Wilson

Position 50 x 50mm stakes inside corners and gather pointed top ends at centre of the square.

Step 4

How to build a garden frame step 4

Step 4

Brent Wilson

Wrap stake ends with masking tape, then use a spirit level to mark a line around the tops.

Step 5

How to build a garden frame step 5

Step 5

Brent Wilson

Saw off pointed stake ends where marked.

Step 6

How to build a garden frame step 6

Step 6

Brent Wilson

Reposition stakes, ensuring tops meet level. 

Step 7

How to build a garden frame step 7

Step 7

Brent Wilson

Cut a 150 x 150mm plywood square and secure with screws to tripod top.

Step 8

Working from the base, measure and mark tripod rib positions at about 40, 80 and 120cm.

Step 9

How to build a garden frame step 8

Step 8

Brent Wilson

Measure, mark and cut ribs from 25 x 25mm stakes, including those used for frame base square, and screw to tripod.

Step 10

How to build a garden frame step 10

Step 10

Brent Wilson

Sand stakes to prepare for painting. 

Step 11

Cut 125 x 125mm and 100 x 100mm plywood squares, stacking and gluing on tripod top.

Step 12

How to build a garden frame step 12

Step 12

Brent Wilson
Wooden fence capital

Step 12

Brent Wilson

Working on a drop sheet in a well-ventilated area, spray-paint tripod and capital. Leave to dry. Glue capital to top square. Position tripod in garden.

Step 13

Charlie Albone planting
Brent Wilson
Charlie Albone planting
Brent Wilson
Flowers
Brent Wilson

Plant around your obelisk with the winning colour comb of yellow bidens, deep blue veronica and lilac ptilotus.

For more amazing garden projects, pick up a copy of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!

You might also like:

Topiary for beginners with Charlie Albone

Charlie updates a shady corner of his garden

Charlie creates a stunning garden path

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Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

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