Summertime is upon us, which for many of us means we find ourselves using the garden hose a lot more than we have been. If you’re tired of seeing your well-tended yard graffiti’d by the sprawling hose day after day, here’s a great solution for you: build your own hose hanger. This is a very inexpensive project that can be built in no time at all, even if you’re a beginner DIYer. so read on the learn how to build a garden hose hanger!

Garden Hose Hanger Materials Needed:

1 x 4’ long 4×4 redwood post (see if your hardware store will cut an 8’ board in half for you at the store)1 x 2×6 board cut into a 6”x6” square (which will actually end up being closer to a 5-1/2” square)1 x 2×4 board cut into a 4”x4” square (actually closer to 3-1/2” square)1 x wooden finial (I recycled an old pair of wood finials to make two hose hangers; use what you have!)1 x hose holder (the hose hanger piece in this tutorial was less than $10 at Walmart)2-1/2” exterior screwsPaintCement (optional)

Once you’ve gotten everything assembled, you’re halfway done. No joke.

From the ground up, the pieces you use will be: 4×4 post, 2×6 square, 2×4 square, and finial. We’ll be working in this order to attach everything.

Step One: Find the center

On your 2×6 square, find the center. From there, measure where your 4×4 post will touch the square.

Step Two: drill hole

Predrill four holes about ¾” in from the sides.

Step Three: Pre-Screw

Partially screw in your screws into those four holes. Tip: Don’t screw them in so far that the tip comes out the other side.

Step Four: Attach square

Position the 2×6 square on top of your 4×4 post and, being sure to keep it centered, finish screwing in the screws for a complete attachment.

Step Five: Find center on square

Find the center on your 2×4 square. Tip: Rather than spending time doing a lot of cross-measuring, finding center on the diagonals is a quick and accurate method. Lay your ruler down from corner to corner and pencil a short line near the center. Switch the ruler to the other two corners and do the same. The center of your X is the center of your square.

Step Six: Radius

Measure the radius of your wood finial. Mark this distance from center on your 2×4.

Step Seven: Pre-drill more hole

Predrill five holes in your 2×4 square: one directly in the center (this will be for your finial), and four set in about 1/2” from your radius marks. (Setting them in far enough ensures that, when the finial is attached, it will cover the screw heads.)

Step Eight: Attaching

Attach screws partway into the four “corner” holes on your 2×4 square. Center the 2×4 on top of your 2×6 (which is already attached to the 4×4 post) and finish screwing them in. Tip: An extra set of hands holding everything in place makes this much easier.

Step Nine: Attach finial

Screw your finial into the center hole on your now-attached 2×4 square.

Step Nine B: Almost there!

Stand back for just a moment and admire your handiwork. You’re practically done!

Step Ten: Paint

Paint, stain, or seal your hose hanger at this point. I used a black exterior spray paint on one hose hanger; I kept the other one au natural for your tutorial-viewing pleasure.

Step Eleven: Place

Place your hose hanger piece where you want it on your post. Mark screw holes, then attach securely with screws provided.

Step Twelve: Secure

Practically done! All you need to do now is secure your hose hanger to the ground.

Step Thirteen: Dig hole

Dig a hole about 12”-18” deep. Place post in the hole. Mix concrete according to bag instructions, and pour it in. Check for plumb on all four sides, several times, as you poke the cement to remove air pockets.

Step Fourteen: Dry and set

Wait 24-72 hours until post is secure in dry concrete, then start using it! Your lawn (and neighbors) will thank you.