Tomato cages are a must in gardens filled with climbing vines. However, the best way to support a thriving garden is to DIY customized tomato cages that are better for your plants. Although homemade tomato cages are the best choice for growing greenery, there are also uses for prefabricated designs. Repurpose one of these cone- or cylinder-shaped cages to create an elegant garden feature. When filled with decorative stones, they can be transformed into gabion-style pillars.
Gabion columns add aesthetic value to gardens, outdoor seating areas and other landscaping features. These rock-filled columns blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, adding variety to match other organic features, such as rock ledges and pathways. It’s a great way to upgrade outdoor decor without detracting from the natural look. If you are feeling more creative, you can also combine this idea with another brilliant DIY which Transforms an old tomato cage into a stylish decoration.
These builds also have functional value. They are gorgeous to look at while helping to stabilize the soil and improve drainage in the yard. They do not impede the flow of water but enable it, as water flows effortlessly between the loose rocks. So, these gabions can be a great asset to the yard if you are capable of the heavy-lifting involved. Stacking rocks in a tomato cage requires physical effort, although you don’t need to operate any heavy equipment or perform any specific crafts.
How to convert a tomato cage into a classic gabion-style pillar
The main advantage of making gabion pillars from tomato cages is that you can keep your home garden design short, simple and more appropriate. In an average sized tomato cage, viz Glamos tomato cageOnly $2.49 and 3.5 feet tall, making it easy to integrate with other landscape views. Just make sure you flip any cages with a cone-like shape upside-down so they’re smaller at the top. This ensures a large ring of rocks at the bottom to keep it strong and balanced. Also, choose a metal wire, eg RELIABILT steel cable. Wrap this cable around the tomato cage to fill any large gaps so the rocks don’t slip.
You will also need a collection of decorative rocks, ie Beach Pebble Company Multicolor Decorative Rocks. Calculate how many bags you will need before buying. The more piles you build and the bigger the tomato cage, the more stones are needed. We recommend medium to large stones so they are easy to lift, but also won’t slip through the wire of the tomato cage. Start by covering the larger pieces first, then fill in the gaps with smaller pieces.
Place these rock pillars wherever you want, as they cannot be moved later. As mentioned earlier, these structures easily complement the natural landscape. You can set a single pillar, or pair them to border an entryway to a garden or seating area. Accent the pillars with nearby foliage, wooden fences, outdoor lanterns and other classic garden decor. You can also take this DIY to the next level by building a gabion wall as one An alternative to the traditional retaining wall.
