Tomato Cages Wrapped in Green Garland Become Christmas Trees for the Front Porch
Tomato cages are designed to support plants in the garden, but their cone-shaped frames can also serve as the base for Christmas decorations. With green garland wrapped around the metal supports, the open cages take on the appearance of small evergreen trees.
Homedit contributor Emily Burmeister used two 3-foot tomato cages, artificial garland, pinecones, and galvanized metal buckets to make a matching pair of Christmas topiaries for her front porch. Each tree required two 9-foot garlands, with the metal frame providing the shape beneath the greenery.
The finished trees stand on either side of the porch entrance, with silver-painted pinecones tucked between the branches. The project uses garden supplies rather than a ready-made artificial topiary.
Tomato Cages, Garland, and Metal Buckets Form the Base
Each topiary starts with a 3-foot wire tomato cage, two 9-foot lengths of artificial evergreen garland, a galvanized bucket, and pinecones for decoration.
The cage has a wide circular base, smaller rings above it, and metal supports that taper toward the top. Its open frame provides attachment points for the garland without requiring a wooden structure.
Green Garland Wraps Around the Tomato Cage
Emily placed the cage with its widest ring on the floor and began winding the garland around the lower section. She looped the greenery through the metal supports to hold it against the frame, working from the bottom toward the narrower top.
Keeping the garland close to the wire prevents large gaps between the branches and helps conceal the metal rings.
The Garland Builds Up From the Base to the Tip
The first 9-foot garland covered almost half the cage. Emily continued with the second length, pushing the greenery toward the previous rows to cover the frame.
As the wire cage narrowed, each turn required less garland. The branches were gathered around the upper supports to complete the pointed shape.
Silver Pinecones Add the Christmas Decoration
Once the cage was covered, the greenery formed a small artificial Christmas tree with a broad base and an uneven, pointed top.
Emily added pinecones with a silver glitter finish between the branches. Their placement breaks up the green surface without covering the shape of the tree.
The two finished topiaries have similar forms, although the garland branches extend in different directions. Several pinecones sit near the upper sections, with more placed toward the base.
The decorations are limited to the pinecones, leaving most of the artificial greenery exposed.
Galvanized Buckets Hold the Trees Upright
Emily placed the finished wire frames into galvanized metal buckets to give the topiaries a base. She was concerned that the light tomato cages could topple outdoors, so the buckets helped support them.
For outdoor use, the containers and frames still need to be secured against wind. A metal bucket alone does not guarantee that a lightweight tree will remain upright in strong weather.
The Finished Trees Stand Beside the Front Door
The matching trees stand beside the white porch columns, framing the walkway toward the dark green front door. Their galvanized containers sit on the concrete floor, with the greenery reaching above the surrounding porch furniture.
A wire reindeer, holiday doormat, and small wreath complete the entrance decorations.
One of the trees stands near a white column and evergreen wreath. The silver pinecones remain visible against the greenery, while the bucket keeps the base contained within a small section of the porch.
From Garden Supplies to Christmas Porch Decorations
The before-and-after comparison shows the wire tomato cage, loose garland, and galvanized bucket beside the finished Christmas topiary. Two lengths of garland cover the metal frame, while silver pinecones and the bucket complete the decoration.
Would you turn tomato cages into Christmas trees for your front porch or use traditional artificial topiaries?
Image credits by Homedit.com