Wait until you see the clever way I made this cottage-style garden tower to use in my cutting garden this year. I put this together using a few common gardening supplies.
DIY Cottage Garden Tower
It’s May which is my busiest month in the garden for me here; I’m on the zone 5b/6a line. I went a little nuts at a local plant sale….can you relate…and have so many plants to find homes for!! One of the flower varieties I grabbed was a black-eyed Susan vine in the prettiest tangerine color. They are the most delightful and easy-to-grow vining flower.
Now I needed to find a place for it to grow. I’m hoping to create a sweet cottage garden this season so I wanted something that looked like I found it in an English garden…and did not cost a fortune! So, I decided to create something on the cheap.
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Cottage Garden Tower Supplies
- Tomato Cage
- 4 Foot Bamboo Supports
- Seagrass Rush
- Copper Spray Paint
1. Start with a tomato cage
The base for my cottage garden tower is a 4-foot tomato support cage. For this project, a super cheap and kinda flimsy tomato cage is exactly what you want.
2. Bamboo supports & spray paint
To make this tower I also used five 4-foot bamboo garden supports and Rust-Oleum copper-colored spray paint.
3. Spray paint the tomato cage and bamboo
Next, I gave the tomato cage and the bamboo supports a quick spray of the copper metallic spray paint; I love the Hammered spray paints from Rust-Oleum!
4. Seagrass Rush
For my tower, I used twisted seagrass rush but I think you could also use sisal rope or twisted seagrass rope and achieve a similar look.
If you are using the seagrass rush I highly suggest you soak it for about an hour to make it more malleable and easier to work with.
shop my garden favorites
5. Putting the tower together
After the spray paint dried it was time to put it together. I gathered the bamboo at the top and secured the pieces together with a big elastic. Then I took the bottoms of the bamboo and popped them inside the top metal ring of the tomato cage; I also spread them as evenly around the tomato cage as I could…don’t stress if they don’t want to stay even.
6. Time to wrap the tower!
Starting at the top, I wrapped a generous amount of the rush around and did a simple knot to secure it (it also covers the elastic).
Then I moved to the bottom, I tied a simple knot around the base of the cage and started wrapping the rush around the outside of the rings. You can wrap as much around depending on how thick you want your band to be.
To finish each section I tied a knot and then cut off the extra rush.
I wrapped the rush around the tomato cage where the 3 metal rings were and I also wrapped it one more time near the top of the cage.
After I had wrapped the circumference of the tower I went back and wrapped the rush around the bands vertically as well (see the above picture).
Don’t worry about the loose ends now…wait until the end and then give them all a trim once you are done!
Finished cottage garden tower
Isn’t it super cute??!! I’m making a few more too! For my next one, I’m going to cut off the largest ring and make a shorter version ( that’s another reason a more flimsy tomato cage is good!)
You can check out some of my other DIY plant supports HERE.
7. Time to plant!
First I popped the garden tower into a large pot. I’m going to secure it in place with garden staples after I take pictures.
Isn’t that the happiest little flower??!!! I planted 2 of these Proven Winner Tangerine Slice A-Peel Black-Eyed Susan Vines in the pot.
Don’t worry, the rest of that garden will be planted…check back to see my progress in the upcoming weeks (I have so much to do!!!
That’s going to be the space where my cutting garden is going to go…more raised beds are to be built this weekend. Here’s a closer look at my garden expansion.
this is how the tower looks now!
I love gardening! Here are some other things to check out…
For The Gardening Fans
Happy Gardening!
~Jennifer
Now please go check out what all my Thrifty Style Team friends are up to today!
Redhead Can Decorate – Lily of the Valley Green Ball Jar Centerpiece
The Painted Hinge – How to Repurpose a Cabinet Door to Add More Depth and Interest to Framed Art
DIY Beautify – How to Upcycle a Berry Wreath
2 Bees In A Pod – Decoupage Vase with Napkins – Dollar Tree Project
The How To Home – DIY Hurricane Candle
Sweet Pea – How to Make Citronella Candles
What Meegan Makes – Vintage Embroidery Hoop Shadow Box
I Should Be Mopping The Floor – 5 Ways to Display Free Printables
Lora B. Create & Ponder – Upcycled Old Garden Fencing Cloche How To
White Arrows Home – Vintage Brooch Magnets
Our Crafty Mom – Round Side Table Makeover With Napkins
Chas’ Crazy Creations – DIY Candle Holders
Cottage On Bunker Hill – DIY Cottage Garden Tower
Vinyet Etc – DIY Plant Stands From Vintage Stools
Jennifer Howard
cottage on bunker hill
Thanks for stopping by today! Being able to share my projects, DIYs, and decorating ideas with you is amazing. Leave a comment below; I love hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a note here if you have any questions.
I love this idea. I’m definitely doing this in my garden. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I would love it if you would share this on the Fabulous Friday Link Party. You can find the link on my website. Hugs to you.
Thanks so much, Renae…I’ll do it this week!!
Wow, very amazing and creative DIY ideas for garden. I really love this article. Thank you for sharing this wonderful blog.
This is such a beautiful idea! I love it!
Thanks so much Kristin!!
This is such a great idea! I am so glad I saw this before I finished all my garden planting this year. I can’t wait to add this to outdoor decor!
Thanks Mary Beth!! I’m in the process of making a couple of more…I ran out of steam today!!
This is genius Jennifer! I need 2 for my tomatoes!!
Thanks Julie!!!!
Jennifer,
I saw where Stacy at Bricks N Blooms shared your great idea and I’d love to do the same on my Sunday, Dirt Road adventures.
I’ll share a link back to your site for all the instructions. I hope that’s ok.
Of course Rachel, grab a picture too if you want!
This is just a gorgeous idea. I’m thinking my pole beans will LOVE it!
Yes!! They will look so cute!!
Jennifer – this is so smart! We are definitely giving this a try! Thanks for the tips and detailed info.
Thanks ladies!!
Great idea! I’ve seen that rush stuff, but never knew how to use it. Great idea to soak it, so it’s flexible. I love that new vine version; will have to see if it’s offered in my area. Just got started with flower shopping. Yes, the next month will be busy; we’re adding a whole new picket fence raised bed veggie garden! Looking cute;)
Your fence is so cute!! I checked it out this morning. I’m panic stricken with how much I still have left to get done outside!!!!!
I love this so much! I’m always looking for great garden repurpose ideas and this hits the mark! So happy to be part of this super fun blog hop with you!
Thank you Michelle!! I love this group!!
Jennifer
I love this idea. I saw where Stacy shared this post. I’ve been wanting to do something similar, so I may copy your idea. It’s so clever.
Yes…because I’m about to copy your flower pot wreath to hang on my garden gate!!!
I love how you turned a nice piece into a lovely art creation for a cottage garden. It’s just my style and can’t wait to make one for my apartment cottage porch. Thanks so much for the tutorial.
Thank you so much Meegan!!
I need a few of these for my garden! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome DIY!!! Wonderful hoping with you and I hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you Chas!! I’m going to make a couple more…when I get to it (isn’t that every DIYers mantra!!)
You come up with the best ideas! I adore this project and hope to make one for my home. Years ago I scored a Black Eyed Susan Vine at a plant sale an it was so pretty and it bloomed its heart out all summer.
Thanks Paula!! I’m so excited for this year’s garden!
So sweet Jennifer, you made that simple tomato cage look AMAZING and yes, very cottage-y!! I love the flowers too, will have to look for those ones. Pinned 😉
Thanks so much Cindy!!