Wind garland around tomato cages to make them into Christmas trees. Use them as decorations in your garden. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
by Connie Oswald Stofko
My neighbor, Helen Waterhouse, saw some cool Christmas decorations in our neighborhood. They look like small Christmas trees.
“I bet you could make them using a tomato cage,” she said.
We took her dog Fluffy for a walk down our block, and Helen pointed out the decorations. On closer inspection, we found they were indeed made from tomato cages!
Helen decided to try it and found it worked well. I took some photos a couple weeks ago when she completed the project and took other photos this week in the snow.
“They’re so adorable!” she said.
Bring your tomato cages out of storage and use them to make Christmas trees. Here’s how:
Start with a tomato cage. It doesn’t have to be new. It doesn’t even have to be straight. Turn it upside down. Photo by Connie Oswald StofkoGet some green tinsel garland. Drop the end into the pointy end of the tomato cage. Squeeze the wires together. (That’s my husband Phil serving as hand model. ) Photo by Connie Oswald StofkoWrap the garland tightly around the wires. The garland holds the wires in place nicely. Continue wrapping the garland until you get to the bottom. When you get to the bottom, tie the garland to the tomato cage with string. Helen Waterhouse estimated that she used 75 feet of garland for a cage with a 16-inch diameter and 25 to 50 feet for for a cage with a 12-inch diameter. If you use more garland, it will look fuller. Photo by Connie Oswald StofkoUse tent stakes to hold the tomato cage in place and prevent it from blowing over. Pound the stake all the way down. Photo by Connie Oswald StofkoDecorate your Christmas trees with lights, bows, strings of beads or whatever you like. Helen Waterhouse used twist ties to attach the bows. Photo by Connie Oswald StofkoRather than run several electrical cords to your house, use an electric adapter. You can get them at the hardware store. You run an extension cord from your house to the adapter, then plug all of your light cords into the adapter. The adapter is inserted into the lawn so it doesn’t tip over. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
2 Comments on “Reuse tomato cages as a Christmas decoration”
Felix, thank you for that safety tip. Yes, make sure you get lights that can be used safely outdoors.
Two prong Xmas lights are designed for indoor use only. Only use three prong light strings outside.
Felix, thank you for that safety tip. Yes, make sure you get lights that can be used safely outdoors.
Two prong Xmas lights are designed for indoor use only. Only use three prong light strings outside.