TikTok's Creative Idea Gives New Purpose To A Baby Gate In The Garden

Garden gates are a worthwhile investment. They can keep your fruits, vegetables, and flowers safe from a variety of external factors, including wandering neighbors and loose dogs. Besides that, garden gates add a touch of whimsy to any outdoor space, working to separate it from the rest of your yard. Unfortunately, gates can be expensive depending on the material used and the installation process. For example, Amazon sells wooden garden gates for $145. But if you're all about repurposing old items to keep waste out of landfills, then TikTok has you covered. According to @nara28155, you can repurpose an old baby gate, transforming it into something custom — for free. 

Any type of baby gate will work for this incredible DIY hack, but @nara28155 uses an extendable baby gate made from a mesh fabric. It's easy to install — you just need to connect it to two posts. If you don't have any posts, there are a variety of ways you can fashion them, from old 2x4s to tree stumps. But the truly genius thing about this hack is that it's completely customizable. For example, Amazon sells banister mounting gate kits that allow you to effortlessly connect any gate to a post. You can purchase them for $37. Make sure you also have a latch system to attach your gate. If you don't, there are plenty of DIY gate latch ideas to keep your garden secure from pests and pets. 

If you want to customize your garden gate, start by looking for two large tree stumps. You could ask neighbors who recently had trees removed or contact local lumber supply companies. These stumps will give your garden a rough-hewn appearance that adds a rustic charm. If you don't have tree stumps, you can use something else — this is where 2x4s come into play. Additionally, you could always stake a piece of metal into the ground and attach a long, thin piece of plywood to it — this gives you a place to secure your baby gate. If you have old wooden pallets available, consider ripping a strip of wood from one of them to use for this project. 

Once your gate has posts secured in the ground, it's time to mount it. Most gates come with mounting brackets, so grab a power drill and the appropriate screws and attach them to your makeshift posts. Just be sure to line up your gate's latch system before drilling to ensure everything fits perfectly in place. You'll also need to secure the static side of your gate to a post. This is the side that doesn't open or close. You can use a mounting system for banisters or use small bungee cords to attach your gate to a post. You would never want to install it on stairs this way, however. This is only to keep pests out of your garden. 

If you don't have a retractable gate like the one featured in @nara28155's TikTok video, you can use a traditional wooden baby gate. The only issue is you won't be able to attach it the way you would a retractable gate. Since these gates are pressure-mounted, you'll need two sturdy posts. This means that a tree stump won't do thanks to its craggy exterior. Instead, you could use two 2x4s, installing them with the 4" side facing inward. This would function as a "wall" so you could install your pressure-mounted baby gate to it. 

Don't stress if you don't have old baby gates. You could always purchase one at Target for $19. Just be mindful of how high the gate you use is and what animals you're looking to deter from entering. Deer can jump over a 7-foot fence, so a baby gate probably won't prevent them from eating your prized zucchini. But if there's other nearby foliage for them to enjoy, a fence might stop them from entering your garden. You do run the risk of animals digging beneath your gate (and fence, for that matter), so consider adding an animal barrier fence. Amazon sells them for $24, and they're easy to install. You can also try many other humane ways to keep critters out of your yard and garden, such as by using windchimes, floodlights, and plant protectors. You can plant rosemary near your garden gate to deter pests as well.