Hey everyone! I'm working on a project to create a sun shade measuring 14 feet by 18 feet for my backyard. Since it's not meant to be a permanent installation, I'm exploring options for securing it without burying posts directly into the ground. My plan is to place 8-foot tall 4x4 posts in large planters or pots, filling them about 60-70% with concrete and then topping it off with soil for planting flowers. I'm wondering, what size base should these pots realistically have to keep everything stable?
2 Answers
I'd recommend going for a permanent anchor if you can. A good option could be to use concrete footings instead of just planters. But if you stick with pots, maybe look into how you can fill them with more weight, like gravel or sand, to prevent any tipping. Those shades can catch a lot of wind!
For a sun shade of that size, you definitely need some solid stabilization. Using large planters can work, but make sure they're heavy enough to handle wind. A base diameter of at least 18 inches would be a good start for the pots. Just make sure you secure those posts well; otherwise, they might tip over in a breezy situation.