Multipurpose Patio Posts

Kerry
by Kerry
7 Materials
$50
2 Hours
Easy
I love an old plum tree in my backyard. It offers shade and great bird watching. But it’s dying... So I added some posts to my patio for some feeders, lights, and shade.
The dying tree... I haven’t quite given up on it, but cut out all those struggling branches to see if I can squeeze some more life out of it.
It offers such great shade!
So this winter I added the popular patio posts. I used about 2.5 gallons of gravel (from a 5 gallon bucket) and maybe a bag of quickcrete in each to set the 10’ 4x4 posts in. I then drilled some holes into the barrels above the cement so they could drain. I then added some more gravel and soil to the top.


I screwed a planter bracket on the yard side and a hook on the house side to each post. The feeders are from the Christmas Tree Shop and the lights are off Amazon.
Isn’t it pretty in the winter?
Now for that shade... I picked up some outdoor sail cloth at Costco, but it was about 5’ too big. To shorten it and add even more shade, I folded over sections and sewed down each fold.
Now I’m ready for the summer! The shade is easy to hook on and off in case I want a fire on the colder nights.
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 6 questions
  • What did you use for the bottom? Is it a bucket? A large planter? And what size is it?

  • Annie Annie on May 03, 2018

    Why did you drill holes in the concrete are you going to put plants in the top would you have to drill holes if you only put gravel on top of the concrete

  • Anabella Anabella on Oct 11, 2020

    HI! How big is that shade? Has it ever fallen with wind?

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  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on May 04, 2018

    You didn't say what the problem is with your plum tree but take a good look at it. IF it's got big balls of trunk like material on the branches, it has gall. Gall is highly contagious and will spread! Get a sharp blade and cut all the gall out. Immediately put the pieces in a trash bag and wipe your blade with alcohol between each cut. I saved my plum tree!

  • Brenda Brenda on May 11, 2018

    Thank you so much for the inspiration!! We just moved into a rental that doesn't allow any "permanent structures", so this is a great way to add some much needed definition to our backyard!!

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