How to stabilise a star picket with concrete?

[ennoh]

I want to cover a couple of raised garden beds with green shade cloth.    What will work for me is to stabilise star pickets in a concrete cube to be embedded in the ground so the star picket wont move.  I need to pour concrete into a frame of some sort with an empty core in the middle which will hold the star picket.    I will be able keep the concrete blocks above ground.    How can I achieve this?

[Noyade]

Evening @ennoh 

How many need to be made?

I have a steel version (too dark outside to photo) but dressed timber would work.

Boxed together and an 'insert' (steel pipe or wooden pole) screwed in position.

Concrete poured in.

Before too hard - remove the insert.

Once dry - lift the box off and/or unscrew the frame.

What's the diameter of a star picket?

Cheers.

[EricL]

Hello @ennoh 

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Noyade. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend spraying the inside of the timber formwork with WD40 so that the timber frame can be slipped off easily. I suggest using a PVC pipe to create the hole in the middle of the concrete footing. But make sure that the pipe is close to the size of the star picket you'll be using.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[ennoh]

Thanks Noyade

That’s a great response!   I need to make six of these cubes.     It was dark when I measured the diameter of the star picket but I think it was either 38mm or 40mm.   To ensure that I can actually get the pipe out of the drying cement, do you think I should cover it in gladwrap or something so that theres no problem in retrieving it?

[ennoh]

Thanks Eric

I will have to construct a timber box - can you give me links to the timber and also the cement I should be using?

[EricL]

Hi @ennoh 

Let me tag @Noyade to make them aware of your query. Using glad wrap is a good idea, but as an alternative, I suggest sliding the star picket into a PVC pipe so that it is easier to slide the pipe into place. 

In regards to the materials I suggest using SpecRite 1800 x 1200mm 17mm Formply F17 to form the timber box. I recommend using Bastion 20kg Premix Concrete or similar. Please do not use quick drying cement for this project as regular concrete will provide you with a stronger self-standing base.

Eric

[ennoh]

Thanks Eric!!    

[Noyade]

"(too dark outside to photo)"

A new day dawns.

This is one of many 'foundation boxes' my father made up a lifetime ago - sump oil was always coated on the inside.

But the finish would not look good I suspect - for a raised garden.

Good luck!

[AlanM52]

Hi @ennoh,

You could use something like this.

And PVC pipe.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=PVC+pipe&sort=BoostOrder

Select pipe size so the picket is a nice fit (I think 50mm).

Drill/bore a hole right through pipe for wood dowel handle (or cut the end off broom stick)

To use tip the block upside down (like a stubby pyramid).

Cheers

[ennoh]

What a clever and resourceful man!   Much like my dad 😉