How to make festoon light supports
DIY project from NZ Gardener magazine
Versatile, easy to make and perfect for the garden parties on those endless summer nights.
You will need
Materials:
- 4 x plant pots approximately 30cm in height by 30cm wide (with a wide base for stability)
- 4 x 1.8m 45mm x 45mm exterior timber. These sizes can be adjusted to suit your space and height requirements.
- Black plastic, or heavy duty plastic
- 4 x bags of quick set cement
- Festoon lights
- 15mm x 2.0 galvanised staples
- Decorative stones
Paint:
- Your choice of Resene finishes. I used Resene Lumberside Low Sheen in Charcoal to match the festoon lights cable colour.
Tools:
- Measure tape and pencil
- Mitre saw or hand saw
- Scissors or Stanley knife
- Spirit level
- Hammer
- Paintbrushes
Cost: $250 for timber and fixings This excludes Resene products. I used Resene Exterior Primer and Resene Lumberside Low Sheen in Charcoal.
Instructions
Step 1
Paint your pots if required. The pots used had already been painted, and not glazed, therefore I could repaint directly on to the surface in my colour choice. If your pots are raw cement or terracotta, use Resene Exterior Primer first.
Step 2
Cut your timbers to 1800mm in length using a mitre saw or hand saw.
Step 3
In the centre of the top of each timber post, cut a 15mm deep groove using a hand saw.
Step 4
First, prime and paint the timbers according to the manufacturers instructions. I used Resene Exterior Primer, and Lumbersider Low Sheen for a top coat.
Step 5
Line the pots with black plastic to prevent the cement from coming out the hole in the bottom.
Step 6
I used a Quick Set Cement, which enabled me to mix the cement with water directly in the pot with the post placed in the centre. Use a spirit level to make sure it is nice and plumb. And wait for the cement to set. Cut off any excess plastic.
Step 7
Place pots in desired location. I also added stones around the top of each pot to finish the look.
Step 8
String up the lights and put the cable into the groove at the top of each post. A galvanised staple can be hammered over the cable to stop the lights from moving.
Project by Jane Horne
Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew design and develop projects from their studio in Christchurch, managing projects throughout the South Island.