Garden Bridges
Garden bridges are accessory structures that are easy on the wallet and easy to build. If your looking to purchase a smaller garden bridge you can find them in home stores, hardware stores and garden catalogs. They are usually smaller, less robust and more for visual appeal rather than for heavy traffic. They are usually of an arch design and about five to six feet long. These purchased bridges work well in garden beds or crossing small streams. They are rather expensive for what you get, a small wooded structure that isn't very strong and can be built for 1/4 the cost. We prefer to build our own bridges that are intended to handle any weight. We use an outdoor treated wood and set them on cement pavers to keep them from touching the ground. There is no concern of movement since they are usually quite heavy. I prefer a flat bridge since some people have difficulty with the arch style. We usually build them 2 or 3 steps up and apply a rail on both sides. They are wide enough for two people to pass and sometimes we include built in benches. Our first bridge was built out of boredom but we soon learned that everybody loved them. Everyone that came over immediately went for the bridge. Then we realized our dog was hooked, he liked laying in an elevated position to watch over his yard. I designed beds and plantings around the bridge. I added a water feature, some speakers and paths to and from the bridge. In no time it became the focal point in the yard and all of the other items were there to frame it. Whether it's purchased or built, garden bridges are sure to delight everyone. They are great for accent, focal points and additional seating. If we can think it, we can build it.
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