Painted Cattle Panels
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I paint the cattle panels flat black so they recede into the background. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins0
“…I love, love, love your cattle panel arbors. I’m trying to find a place to put one in my small garden. Did you first paint them?” — Sammie
Painted Cattle Panels
Hi Sammie,
Yes, I painted these originally grey galvanized cattle panels a flat black. I wanted the grid pattern to recede so that the climbing plants were the first thing that caught the eye.
These arbors are the larger panels often used for cattle fencing.
If you can use something smaller, look for the pig panels that are more narrow and still can provide a nice arch you can use as an arbor.
I used rebar to help secure the cattle panels into the ground against heavy winds and fumbling gardeners. I also spray painted those to keep rust at bay.
I would also recommend painting the panels before you install them. I used spray paint so that i could more easily reach all of the galvanized rungs. I have two panels in the arbor in the photo forming an alley to the north apiary.
in other parts of the garden I am using only one folded cattle panel. It’s an easy way to mark the entrance to new garden sections without spending a lot of money. These arbors, including rebar and paint, would average $25-$50 each compared to several hundred dollars for most individual arbors.
Several of the cattle panels have the traditional garden flower vines growing over them including clematis and grapes. On this arbor, I have those as well as blackberries, a nice mix of growing vines that will add interest at different times of the year.
