Build A Garden Tuteur In One Afternoon

DIY your own functional and decorative garden art

Posted by Shelly @ 100Things2Do.ca

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Create any-season colour and a home for climbing plants with this easy garden tuteur tutorial.

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You Will Need (8 things)

  • 4 pieces 2 x 2 x 8 pressure treated or outdoor-suitable Wood
  • 12 3/4 x 3/4" Nail Strips
  • 2 ½ in Deck Screw(s) (~20)
  • Fence post Finial
  • Paint Brush
  • Outdoor Paint
  • Mitre Saw
  • Finishing Nail(s)

Steps (12 steps, 180 minutes)

  1. 1

    Cut your 2” x 2” boards down to 5’6” (1.68m) long. Keep the ends for cross braces.

  2. 2

    On one side of each board measure down the boards to 1 ¾” (4.45cm) and in (from the top) 3/8” (0.95cm) and draw a line. This will be the angle you will cut on.

  3. 3

    Cut all four pieces of wood on this line. This angle will create your peak.
    Place two long boards together on the cut sides to create a triangle. Mark the side facing you. Following the instructions above (in 3/8” and down 1 3/4”) (4.45cm and down 0.95cm) draw another angled line and cut the marked surface off. (You will have two cut sides on your 2×2, on connecting edges)

  4. 4

    Using a deck screw, screw this section together at the peak.
    Repeat this cut on the second two boards and connect them together.

  5. 5

    From the bottom of your triangle, measure up 10” (25.4cm) and mark this spot on both legs.

  6. 6

    Place the short wood underneath your triangle at this point and spread until you have approximately 17” (43.2cm) of space between. Mark the angle on the cross brace.

    Cut all four of the shorter boards to this length and this angle using the first board as your template. This will ensure that all sides of your tuteur will be equidistant.

  7. 7

    Screw the cross brace into place at the 10” (43.2cm) line on this triangle section and then repeat on the other section.

    If you’d like a second cross brace (for decoration, not stability) measure up 30” (76.2cm) from the bottom and mark the angles on the short board. Cut on these lines and screw into place on both triangles.

  8. 8

    Using a deck screw, connect the two triangles together at the peak to form a pyramid.

  9. 9

    Screw the remaining cross braces into place on the remaining two sides.

    Screw your pre-made finial into place on the top

  10. 10

    Set your mitre saw to a 45 degree angle and cut the ends of 4 of the nailing strips (at full length)

    Using the same angle, cut the remaining 8 nailing strips at 36” (91.4cm) height.

    Sand if you wish then paint or stain tuteur and nailing strips with outdoor paint – a sample pot should be enough to give two coats.

  11. 11

    Once the structure and nailing strips are dry, attach them to the sides with finishing nails. Angled edges facing towards the leg posts and centre (taller) piece facing outwards.

  12. 12

    Place in your garden and plant a climbing vine in the centre.

    Gorgeous garden art and a functional piece that will make you smile year-round!