How to Make a Container Bean Teepee for Your Kids in the Garden

Bean teepees encourage children to get involved with gardening.

Miniature teepees covered with climbing beans create an attractive accent for the backyard. Full size teepees covered with pole beans provide kids with a shady hideaway, but those over containers aren't quite large enough. However, that doesn't mean they won't provide hours of make-believe fun for creative kids. Try arranging several container teepees in a circular pattern and allow kids to claim the center as a quiet play area.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo garden stakes, 1/2 inch diameter
• Twine
• Plant ties (optional)

Instructions

1. Select five to seven bamboo garden stakes to assemble the teepee. Dowels or natural twigs can be used as well. If cutting your own sticks, select long straight saplings with a diameter of 1/2 to 1 inch. The length of the poles depends on the size of your container. Typically, poles should be approximately two to three times the height of the container to create an attractive teepee. Adjust the length according to your container height and width to get the look you desire.

2. Insert the ends of the garden stakes evenly spaced around the inside of the container. Alternately, arrange stakes around the outside of the container and anchor them into the ground. This creates a teepee that extends over the container, as well.

3. Gather the tops of the stakes together over the pot to create the teepee shape. Overlap the tops so that 1 to 2 inches of the stakes cross and form a "crown" at the top.

4. Secure the tops of the stakes with garden twine, by wrapping it just below the crown. Tie securely to form a sturdy teepee.

5. Push the ends of the stakes securely into the soil around the rim of the container to anchor the teepee and prevent it from toppling in the wind.

6. Plant one bean per stake and allow them to climb the teepee. Beans tend to wind around the stake as they climb upward, but they may need some redirection. Check them often, and gently guide the bean plant to the stake. If necessary, tie young bean plants loosely with plant ties to direct them to the appropriate pole.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension Services: Bean Teepee Project for Kids
• University of Florida Extension: Forts and Hideouts
• Kiddie Gardens: Make a Bean Teepee
• Ohio State University Extension; Container Vegetable Gardening; Karen Demboski, et al.

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Kids Gardening