I found an interesting plan for a backyard pergola in Better Homes & Gardens. They had a 16′ x 20′ pergola (the size I need) and instead of bolting the main posts to the concrete patio, they put each post in a 2′ x 2′ cedar planter box. Half of it filled with concrete, the rest with soil so that you could plant vines to grow up the trellis. (I actually have a bluestone patio rather than the concrete.)
What do folks think about this concept? I can’t imagine that the structure would move much with six 6″ x 6″ posts embedded in these planters. But I may be wrong.
Thanks.
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Greetings Michael,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
It sounds like a workable idea.
Might you have any pics of the pergola?
Cheers
- Thoreau
I can design a pergola with fitted joints so that no anchoring at all is needed, but it adds time and complexity, so I know it is possible to design.
The execution can be tricky though.
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I'm not sure what kind of 'what do you think of this' but I avoid like the plague burying of any posts whenever possible, especially if you are already setting PBs/ CBs. To add soil to a half filled 2x2 box a) introduces the likelihood of premature rot developing, and b) isn't sufficient for most plants/ vines to attain any reasonable size. That said we did a similar project recently with 2x4 planters, posts sub-grade, which at least provides the plants/ vines with a reasonable amount of soil. Why not sonotube your piling up to with a few " of top soil, go to at least a 3x3 box, and wrap any of the post base you don't want to see? As best I can tell this would meet most of your req's.