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Tom Chambers Classic Metal Garden Arch

Itoohaveagarden_21Itoohaveagarden_21 Posts: 26
in Garden design
Hello just wanted to see if anyone had this arch type? Very hard to find reviews online.

the plan is to put them between two raised beds and use them for vertical gardening, has anyone used them for this before? 

Thanks!
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure I understand how there would be a problem. It looks like a pretty standard type of arch.
    Any metal arch will do the job as long as it's sturdy enough for the plants being grown, and is well fixed into position.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Itoohaveagarden_21Itoohaveagarden_21 Posts: 26
    Fairygirl said:
    I'm not sure I understand how there would be a problem. It looks like a pretty standard type of arch.
    Any metal arch will do the job as long as it's sturdy enough for the plants being grown, and is well fixed into position.  :)
    Yes hopefully would be but can’t find many reviews!
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    I see what you mean about the lack of online reviews, @Itoohaveagarden_21 .  I can't tell from the photographs I've found whether or not it's box-section steel (hollow) but I rather suspect that it is.  IF it is then the black powder coat isn't going to protect the inside so you can expect it's lifespan to be somewhat reduced as it corrodes from the inside out.  Looks solid enough for the price GBP 74.95.  But, as with most everything, "caveat emptor".


    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    There are reviews on Amaz*n, the consensus seems to be it’s sturdy, although the size of the steel section is not given. At 228cm it’s quite tall compared to it’s 110cm width, so it would probably be more stable and windproof properly concreted in.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    Normally I'd agree with you, @Nollie , about it being better concreted in.  Can't help wonder though that if it IS box-section, will the lower sections then fill with rainwater and hasten its corrosion ?

    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    One thought I had was that you may need to infill the sides with some kind of lattice if you're planning on growing something needing support for emerging tendrils.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Itoohaveagarden_21Itoohaveagarden_21 Posts: 26
    Nollie said:
    There are reviews on Amaz*n, the consensus seems to be it’s sturdy, although the size of the steel section is not given. At 228cm it’s quite tall compared to it’s 110cm width, so it would probably be more stable and windproof properly concreted in.
    Yeah I wondered about concreting it in but if it then corrodes not sure how I’ll get rid as we’re planning on putting it through the holes in some hollow concrete blocks that we’re using to make the raised beds.
    so if I filled it with concrete then it will need to be sawed off?
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    Itoohaveagarden_21 said:

    .... so if I filled it with concrete then it will need to be sawed off?...

    Seriously though, if you're concreting it in then that's probably going to cause you a problem.  You could have four non-corroding metal, or maybe wooden, pegs in the concrete at ground level and then slot the legs of the archway onto them.  That's, of course, IF it's hollow box-section and IF it hasn't been permanently end-capped by the manufacturers.
    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • Itoohaveagarden_21Itoohaveagarden_21 Posts: 26
    Well I guess all I can do is purchase it and see what it looks like and then give a decent review somewhere, they seem to be sold everywhere so odd that it’s hard to find much info on it 
    thanks for the advice!
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I'm not sure what you're concerned about really...  I have one with very similar dimensions but I don't think it's Tom Chambers as if I'm honest, I've had TC obelisks in the past and was not impressed.. I can't remember where I got this one from but it cost me around £50 some 6 years ago..

    It's still in perfect condition and it was easy for me to put up on my own, I also cemented it in using postcrete..  about 1 foot in the ground.. 

    I do recommend looking at those with integrated lattice, preferably all the way up and over the top.. I had my own which I bought elsewhere, for the top,  but this one has integral lattice on the lower sections.. It's essential for clematis and honeysuckle, less important for roses..
    .. this arch is perfect for smaller gardens..


    ..integrated lattice at the base..



    East Anglia, England
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