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Using old columns

Posted by New_2_Fish 5 (My Page) on
Sat, Apr 23, 05 at 20:26

I have two old wood porch columns that I'd like to use in my garden. Anyone have any ideas for them?
Thanks in advance!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Using old columns

Use them for a trellis?


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RE: Using old columns

Sorry to be a downer but how about testing for lead paint if you grow or are going to grow veggeis?


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RE: Using old columns

You could cut them shorter and use them as legs for a bench or table.

You could make a buch of bird baths by cutting them and using them for the column, attach a plywood circle to the bottom for stabilty. For the top you'd just have to look around for something.

Make them into hanging basket holders and use them to flank a walkway or the entrance to your garden or a patio. Put the bases in the ground (maybe with concrete around them to make sure the stand up) and put a bunch of wrought iron plant hooks on them and hang flowers from them.

Or put them in the ground and connect them with a piece of wood, or an old branch and let something vining climb over them and/or string with white christmas lights (if your near an electrical outlet). For this I'd definitely foot them with concrete so they're sturdy.


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RE: Using old columns

hey, add class to your garden...put them on each side of your gateway to the garden...you could put something across the top and grow a vine, grapes or roses over it. Wish I had them.


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RE: Using old columns

Wow! I knew I was asking the right group of people : ) If I used them as an entrance to my garden, what would you all suggest I use across the tops of them? I can't come up with anything.
Thanks : )


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RE: Using old columns

I'd use them as the basis of an arbor- a simple frame of rebar (I use rebar for everything, since a pile of it came with the house when I bought it) and some chicken wire if you're feeling ambitious tops the columns, and then you can grow a vine up and over- trumpet vines are great for that, you can grow a 20 foot long vine in a 3 gallon bucket (be careful about sinking them directly in a bed, they're invasive around here)

I would cap the top and bottom of them with something, though- keep water and wasps out of the hollow part, y'know ;)


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RE: Using old columns

pics of mine

Here is a link that might be useful: My Old Roman Columns


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RE: Using old columns

(realize you might need to shorten for some of these ideas).
Put urns on top with lots of plants - some trailing. Or add copper tubing in the shape of a ball and use as a form for vines, etc. Or make one taller than the other and use as pedestals with topiaries on top. Put as an entrance to your garden with a small section of fence that scallops up toward your main column. Then plant ferns, etc. along the section of wooden fence.


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RE: Using old columns

Great ideas everyone! I love them... This weekend I'll be stripping them down and I think using the entrance idea setting them in concrete and using them on the sides of my gate and as an arbor.
So... hoping to strip the paint this weekend... that is, after I reupholster the dining room chairs ; P


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RE: Using old columns

scallop isn't the word I should have used - the slants of the fence would gradually get higher with the highest point being next to the column. Or use the fence that has the highest points on opposite ends. Anyway, sounds like you have a plan.


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RE: Using old columns

I bought one a few years ago. It was hollow on the top and I have it in the corner of a perennial garden. I usually put a pot that fits into the space on top with flowers in it during the summer.


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