Disguising an ugly gate

[Polkadotdelight]

We have a metal field gate at the side of our garden for access. It's ancient, rusted and covered in a mesh that's been painted (so the paint is flaking too). It really ruins all the hard work we have done in the garden. Right now we cannot afford to replace it with a new one and we need to be able to open it for access so planting isnt an option. I thought of trying to attach wooden panels to it but worry that would be too heavy and I bought some cheap reed/bamboo roll from home bargains but it was too flimsy. Does anyone have any inspiration?

A photo would help. Could you paint it?

Clip on hanging baskets that drapes down the gate?

Could you put some sort of planter or hanging basket on it?
And open it very carefully...

Use tongue and groove as a temp measure. cheap and easy available

Spray it with some Hammerite, which covers rust.
Or wire one of those cheap trellises with greenery onto it, cut to size.
Or use some canvas, the colour of your choice.

Rub down with a stiff wire brush and spray paint it.

Thanks everyone. This is the ugly gate - apart from being ugly I'd also like to replace it with a solid one in the future so I don't see next doors weeds!

I should have taken the photo this morning whilst it was in full sunlight so the peeling paint and rust could be seen. I like some of these suggestions though - thank you.

Thin (3.6mm) plywood isn’t too heavy and would give instant cover- make holes and attach with plastic grip ties.

I prefer the idea of planters hanging down but it will take a long time to cover the gate and potentially add a lot of weight from the planters themselves.

Thank you. I will get DH on it!

What about if some of rhe ivy trellis screening, just cable tie it on.

www.amazon.co.uk/BETESSIN-24pcsx2-2-Artificial-Garland-Decorating/dp/B07FDNS24T/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&crid=1HG1ROB3XIW8B&keywords=ivy+trellis+screening&sprefix=Ivy+trell%2Caps%2C146&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1591563833&sr=8-2

Sorry this ones better

www.amazon.co.uk/GardenKraft-26140-Expandable-Artificial-Landscaping/dp/B01DPK6U0U/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&crid=1HG1ROB3XIW8B&keywords=ivy+trellis+screening&sprefix=Ivy+trell%2Caps%2C146&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1591563833&sr=8-3

You could put jali fretwork panels (or any type of garden screen panel) on it, they would be lighter than solid wood. Like this:

screenwithenvy.co.uk/collections/all

Decorative metal radiator grilles could work too (most DIY stores sell them).

Willow screening is sturdier than bamboo but still light. Or you could use willow trellis and grow climbers/trailing plants in those troughs. You can get trellis with fake foliage, if you don't mind artificial plants. If you grew real plants in the troughs too, it would look less fake.

Sand and paint. Hang more plant pots on it.

I'd use a hard wire brush to remove all the flaking paint and hammerite it.