Building a garden gate does not have to be complex. A gate of the simplest design can turn out looking great. The most common gate design is the Z-type gate. The actual design you decide upon will have a lot to do with the gate’s use. If you have a picket fence, then you will want the gate to match. The easiest way to build a gate for your garden is to build it while it is flat on the ground, and hang it when you finish.
Step One
Measure the area to determine the size of the gate you need to build by placing the end of the tape measure at the fence post and stretching it across the opening to the other post on the opposite side. Measure the height the gate needs to be starting at the top of the post and stretching the tape measure to the ground. The dimensions determine how many 2-by-4 boards are needed for the project, as boards are purchased in 8-foot increments.