09/01/2008 - Fabrication

The surrounding area was leveled and the recycled-concrete raised beds were built behind the gazebo area.  Paths were graded, conduit was run for electrical connections, the watering system was installed, and rock was set around the perimeter of the vine's trunk.

08/14/2008 - Realization

Two days later, the crew had put the dish in place, and carefully draped the vine across the top.  I was beyond thrilled.  It didn't look like much yet, but the structure was in place, and my vision was becoming reality!

08/12/2008 - Perspiration

In 2008, I finally found a landscaping contractor who was willing to work with all my crazy ideas.  He'd done a beautiful job at a friend's house, and actually seemed to like the idea of recycling concrete chunks for raised-bed walls and a satellite dish for a gazebo.

He took down the old scaffolding and provided temporary support for the porcelain berry vine.

Next we decided where we wanted the support posts.  If possible, I wanted the front area more open than the back, to provide a better view of the garden.  Since the dish itself is fairly light, we had some flexibility in the placement of the "legs".  He set 3-foot galvanized pipes in concrete, leaving about 18 inches exposed. For the legs that attached to the dish, he used slightly larger-diameter galvanized pipe that would fit over the posts.  This allowed us to raise or lower the entire dish until we got the height just right.  You will see later that this capability came in handy!

08/11/2008 - Explanation

We built this framework in 1993, when our son was in high school.  He needed a rope-vault to practice pole-vaulting.  We built one in the back yard, and he used to climb up this scaffolding (which was much sturdier when it was new).  Holding onto a rope attached to another frame built of streetlight poles, he would launch himself off this platform, pull himself upside down and vertical while hanging from the rope, and land in a tarp-covered pile of old mattresses.

After he went to college and had "official" equipment to practice on, I planted a porcelain berry vine (ampelopsis brevipedunculata) at the base, and let it crawl up the scaffolding.  It was a favorite perch for one of our cats, who liked to hide among the leaves and sleep in the dappled shade.

I wanted the vine preserved, and I dreamed of having a nice sitting area that would take the place of this rickety scaffolding!

06/13/2006 - Inspiration

ga·ze·bo:

 1.    small building with view: a small, usually open-sided and slightly elevated building, situated in a spot that commands a pleasant view

 2.    sun canopy in garden: a lightweight freestanding open-sided canopy for use in a garden, usually as a sunshade

I saw this old-style large satellite dish turned into a gazebo when I was on a garden crawl in 2006.  When I got home I told my husband we REALLY wanted to have one in our yard, and he posted a "want" on Freecycle.  Within 2 days we had a dish that he took apart and stored in our shed.  Of course it was two years before we actually got our gazebo built, but it's a wonderful addition to our garden.  Every time I see a dish like this forlornly sitting unused on a roof or in someone's yard, I want to knock on their door and share the idea! 

This blog documents the construction of our recycled satellite-dish gazebo, and will hopefully provide inspiration to a few more people!