How to Build a Japanese Garden Canopy

Japanese garden canopies are defined by expressions of simplicity in building materials, the use of only natural-colored wood and the integration of plants into the canopy section of the structure. You can place a Japanese garden canopy anywhere within your yard, over a trail or a small bridge, or even along your front walkway. Japanese garden canopies enhance views and provide a place to sit and look out on the world of nature around you.

Shovel
Tape measure
Gravel
6 treated posts, 4-by-4-by-96-inch
Cement
2 treated posts, 4-by-4-by-72-inch
6-inch galvanized metal L-brackets
3-inch galvanized metal screws
6 treated boards, 2-by-4-by-36-inch
3-inch galvanized metal L-brackets

Instructions

- 1
  Dig six holes in the ground, in two rows of three, so that the six holes make a rectangular frame that is 3-by-6-feet. Make each hole an 8-inch-by-8-inch hole 16 inches deep. Cover the bottom of the hole with 4 inches of gravel.
- 2
  Position a 4-by-4-by-96-inch treated post within each hole and pour cement into the hole around each post. Hold the posts in place until the cement dries. Let the cement dry for six hours.
- 3
  Set a 4-by-4-by-72-inch post across each set of three posts so that it is evenly spaced across them. Position a 6-inch galvanized metal L-bracket between the horizontal and vertical posts. Drill a 3-inch galvanized wood screw into each hole in the brackets.
- 4
  Position six 2-by-4-by-36-inch treated boards on top of the horizontal beams. Space them evenly along the top of the beams with their long, thin sides facing downward.
- 5
  Hold a 3-inch metal L-bracket against each of these 36-inch boards and each horizontal beam that it connects to. Drill 3-inch wood screws into each hole in the brackets.

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