How to build a vertical garden without a supporting wall?

[Andrew14]

Hey Bunnings Community, I'm stuck on the best way to approach my project, wondering if I could get some help.

I want to build a privacy partition to fill a gap on the side of my deck. Thought of using potted plants instead of generic partitions. The idea is to have a seties of vertical mesh panels (something like https://www.bunnings.com.au/jack-90-x-50cm-garden-up-mesh-grid_p2941536) onto which I can hook up a large number of hanging pots (like https://www.bunnings.com.au/jack-garden-up-herb-planter_p2940995).

Here's the challenge: I'm not sure how to prop up this kind of weight. 

I was thinking 2 aluminium bars (3m each, https://www.bunnings.com.au/metal-mate-25-4-x-25-4-x-1-2mm-3m-aluminium-square-tube-silver_p1079488) across the deck posts. But would they buckle with the weight? And how to securely fix them to timber posts? And would the mesh be strong enough to hold all the pots. Lots of questions! 

Here's a sketch attached with the Al bars in red and the mesh panels in white.

 The whole gap is about 2.9m across and 1.2m high.

Thanks in advance ☺️ 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Andrew14. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about install mesh panels.

I think, unless you use very substantial aluminium bars, a 3-metre span is probably too far for them to safely carry the weight of multiple pots. You’ll likely need some central support there. While it might affect the overall look slightly, that central support will be essential for strength and stability.

If you do add one, timber would be fine to work with rather than aluminium. You could run two horizontal lengths of timber, such as 70 x 45mm H3 treated pine, across the span and screw them into the back of the posts with timber bugle screws. Just make sure to include a central support fixed to the handrail (or its upright support) and tied back into a structural timber in the eave or roof sheet above.

I’d also recommend positioning your two horizontals at the top and bottom of the mesh panels. That top section above the red line will be too flexible and won’t provide much support. Securing the mesh firmly at the top and bottom, as in the rendering I’ve mocked up below, should give you a rigid and stable frame.

Once that’s in place, the mesh should comfortably support your hanging herb planters without any issues.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Andrew14]

@MitchellMc this is absolutely brilliant,  thanks so much for your help!

I had thought of using a central post, but didn't consider the possibility that the meshes might bend at the top. Pro tip there. The sketch is super helpful as well.

A couple of questions:

1. How would you recommend fixing the central post to the eve? I think the over hang might not allow me to fix it to the outer side of the eve, so I'll have to fix it underneath;

2. Am I able to the the timber cut in store?

3. Will the treated pine you recommend take the stained deck oil i used on the existing timber?

Thank you kindly.

Andrew 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Andrew14,

Where the coverstrip on the eave is, there's likely a ceiling joist behind it. You could predrill the support at an angle and drill up through it into the joist above. Alternatively, you could use small angle brackets. 

We are unable to perform precision cutting, but typically, you should be able to get the timber cut to the required length.

The treated Pine will take stained deck oil, although depending on the other types of timber, it might not come out the same due to it being a light-coloured timber. You do have the option of using 42 x 42mm 2.7m Pre-Oiled Merbau Solid Screening but in order to span the 2900mm width, you would need two upright supports.

Mitchell