When I strung my outdoor lights last year they hung a bit on the low side.  I decided this summer it was time to shore them up!  I bought a 4x4x8′ pressure treated post.  I already had an extra planter (plastic barrel from Costco) and I have left over cinderblocks from the original back porch.  I also had some left over concrete bags from the pumpkin patch fence Jason put in for me.  I set the 4×4 post inside one of the left over cinderblocks and per Jason’s instruction, I poured the bag of concrete inside the block and the planter, added the water, stirred it a bit and that was that!

You can see in this pic how low the lights hung.  I was able to raise them about a foot.

I predrilled the hole and then screwed in an eye bolt.  I used zip ties to attach the cable wire and light strands.

I’ve had this cute cow hanger for a couple of years, lol.  I knew it would come in handy some day!  Added a hanging plant to the opposite side of the 4×4 to help counterbalance the weight of the lights.  Those industrial light strands are pretty heavy – hence using the cable wire to string them.

Added some dirt and some plants over the top of the concrete in my barrel.  Now I just need to remember to drill a few drainage holes. Love!