How to Make a Garden Teepee

Garden teepees are almost exactly like Native American teepees, minus the hide covering. Garden teepees provide a structure for climbing plants, like peas and beans, to grow onto. While functional first and foremost, garden teepees made from natural tree branches and vines add an aesthetic appeal to the garden as well, and are portable, as an added bonus.

Things You'll Need

• 5 poles, 4 feet long
• Wire
• Grapevine/thin branches

Instructions

1. Position the poles into a teepee shape--that is, a cone. Make the base of the cone around 2 feet wide. The tops of the poles should come together to form an apex around 6 or 7 inches from the end of the pole. Thin tree branches can be used for the poles, as well as manufactured dowels or old broom handles.

2. Bind the poles together at the apex with wire, making sure the teepee is sturdy, and each pole is firmly held in place.

3. Wind the pieces of grapevine or thin branches together to form a flexible rope. Willow branches make an excellent rope, since they are thin and very flexible.

4. Weave the vine or branch rope through the poles of the teepee at intervals of about 10 inches for the supports for the climbing plants. Secure them with wire if needed. If vines or branches are inaccessible, simply weave wire around the teepee poles for the climbing plant supports instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Cedar, elm and oak are good kinds of tree branches to use as poles, since they will last outside without rotting for a number of years.

References

• Sunset Magazine: Step-by-Step: How to Build Your Tipi