A Covered Garden Swing

Contractors Mark Pyne and Mike Armstrong are charged with tackling the project, which Pyne estimates would cost the average homeowner about $3,500 if hired out to professionals. (The do-it-yourselfer can expect to spend about two weekends and $500 on materials to complete the job.) On a difficulty scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the hardest), he rates the project a "3".

The area is designed as a mini-retreat of sorts that will highlight both the existing view and the small formal garden that will be enhanced with color.

Step One: Choosing the Spot and Setting the Posts

The first step is to pick a cozy spot. Here, the Harrisons choose a spot nestled in a cluster of tall trees with a beautiful view of the city on one side. This area is also ideal since it is set off from the main entertainment area on the deck.

Step Two: Building the Arbor Roof

To create the frame for the roof, Pyne and the crew nail 2" x 6" redwood side rails to the posts at each corner (figure D). The rails, which "sandwich" the posts on both sides, are secured at a height of about seven feet to allow plenty of clearance below. First, the boards are tacked to the posts with nails, then secured with carriage bolts (figure E). Finally, Pyne and the crew set the back and front rails in the same way (these are also secured to the posts at the corners, but are anchored right above the side rails ). This completes the arbor's frame.

Next, the roof of the arbor is constructed with pre-cut redwood 2" x 2"s spaced four inches apart (figure F). (It's essential that the first rail be exactly straight and level, because all subsequent rails are based on the position of the first one.) The 2" x 2"s are anchored to the side rails with galvanized eight-penny nails, which are driven in from the top so they won't be visible from the outside. The design of the roof will allow climbing vines to grow over and fill in the spaces, which will create a pattern of dappled sunlight below.

Step Three: Building the Bench Framework and Adding the Plants

Pyne builds the entire swing bench with redwood 2" x 4"s. He starts by constructing L-shaped end pieces that will form the sides of the seat. These consist of two boards laid perpendicular to form a 90-degree angle. Then, the boards that will form the end pieces on the back of the seat are tilted back 12 degrees to create a comfortable angle for reclining.

Then, Pyne glues all the pieces of the two-layer framework together using polyurethane glue. Once this is done, he uses a cordless nail gun to secure and strengthen the joints of the pieces with ten-penny galvanized finish nails. To create a nice, wide surface for resting arms, Pyne tops the armrests with 1" x 6" boards (figure H).

While the swing bench is still under construction, landscape designer Dan Rodrigues sets to work on the planting plan for the area around the arbor and swing. Rodriques decides to accentuate the garden's formality and add more color to the site with a variety of plants, including marigolds, accent flowers and vines.

Rodrigues begins by planting the vines. These will eventually grow up the arbor and fill in overhead, helping to integrate the structure with the surrounding garden. To enhance the garden's formal style, Rodrigues plants in symmetrical rows, which he fills with soft pastels (yellow, pink and lavender). In the nearby beds that border the arbor, he adds colorful annuals for a soft romantic look.

Featured plants include :

• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Zones 5-8
• Banks rose (Rosa banksiae), Zones 8-9
• Rosa 'Raspberry Punch' Zones 9-11
• Rosa 'Lavender Dream', Zones 9-11
• English laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis), Zones 6-9
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron indicum), 'Phoenicia', Zones 7-9
• Scabiosa columbaria 'Blue Mist', Zones 3-9

To complete the swing bench, contractor Mark Pyne returns to add the redwood 2 " x 6"s that will form the seat and back. These boards (all pre-cut to uniform length ) are simply laid horizontally between the two L-shaped end pieces so that they rest on the top (figure I).

Next, each board of the seat and back is secured in place with galvanized eight-penny finish nails driven in with the cordless nail gun. (Use of a nail gun is especially important for this step, since it actually sinks the nails into the wood, preventing snags and scratches when people are sitting in the swing.)

Next, pre-marked holes are drilled into the inner side rails of the overhead arbor frame, and eyebolts are screwed into each of the holes. On each side of the swing , the front and back lengths of chain are pulled together to form a point, which is secured through the end link of a single length of chain. Finally, these single lengths of chain are attached to the eyebolts overhead with carabiners (oblong metal rings with spring clips, often used in mountain climbing).