Reuse A Garden Tomato Cage For A DIY Fall Topiary On A Budget

When fall arrives, you may want to make your home a cozy autumn respite. If so, there are plenty of inexpensive DIYs that will help you achieve this goal. From DIY sherpa pumpkin pillows to design expert-approved fall decor on a budget, there are so many clever projects that will fill your rooms with the bright red, orange, and gold hues of the season. We've got another idea for you, and it involves repurposing a tomato cage. You'll turn this typically-utilitarian item into a decorative faux foliage tree that will transform your space into the ultimate ode to pumpkin spice, crisp weather, and all-out-autumn. This project is sure to appeal to expert and novice crafters alike. You'll use the cage as a base to cover with faux foliage, and then you can decorate it as desired to match it to your home's decor.

This is a great way to repurpose old tomato cages you aren't using, but you could also grab a tomato cage from your local hardware store (Home Depot sells them for under $5) if you don't already own one. You'll also need a planter that will fit the largest diameter of the metal frame. The trick is to find a large pot that will fit inside the tomato gate's widest part, so you've basically created a conical shape with the two. Place the tomato cage upside down on the planter, then use a zip tie to pinch the narrow end of it so it forms a pointed top.

To complete this craft, you'll need garlands of fall-themed leaves. These are available at Michaels for under $7, and the strands are each 6 feet long. Besides the garlands, you can also incorporate separate bundles of autumn foliage, pumpkins, berries, blooms, and even greenery. If you want to add pumpkins, try using Dollar Tree's Harvest Natural Pumpkin Picks for a neutral look or the Assorted Decorative Pumpkin Picks in orange glitter for a luxe feel — each costs only $1.25. 

If you want to keep this decoration up throughout fall and into winter, try using evergreen garlands as the base, then insert red, orange, yellow, and brown leaves and foliage around the top to pull both seasons together. Make sure that the garland you use is full and lush so that it covers not only the wire mesh but the empty interior as well, as nothing detracts from a floral decoration more than gaps and negative space. Your fauna bundles can also make any wrap seem fuller, so place them in any bare areas. Finally, wrap the tree in twinkle lights once it's finished to add a little bit of cozy ambience. If you're leaning into the fall vibes completely, consider choosing warm fairy lights or even thicker strands of orange tinted lights that look autumnal. Alternatively, if you're trying to create a more general decor piece that will last through winter, cooler lighting will help play into Christmas while still providing an inviting feel.

Once you've placed your tree where you want it displayed, why not add floor decor around it to enhance and elevate the overall effect? Large plastic pumpkins or even real ones can be gathered around the base, and you can use smaller ones throughout the foliage to tie everything together. You could also pivot the design completely and use faux baby's breath and white garlands over the entire planter, then place two black construction paper eyes near the top for a life-sized ghost floral design that is both chic and spooky. No matter what design you choose, if you want to make a smaller decoration, you could use an upside down wire trash can as the base instead of the tomato cage. Also consider turning a tomato cage into a Halloween witch.

If you like the way your first fall topiary turned out, create a second to border a fireplace mantle, doorway, or even an interior entryway. The size and height are ideal for areas that suit medium to large size decorations, and these are both non-imposing and easy to build and take down. When you need to transition to a new season, just remove any fall or winter foliage and update the topiaries to suit summer or spring with bright florals and greenery. The wire should last as long as it doesn't get a lot of wear and tear (placing them outside could affect this), so you can reuse your tomato gate trees as often as you desire.