Rustic Metal Plant Cage
Updated: Dec. 17, 2021Learn how to make this rustic rebar plant cage!
Rustic Metal Plant Cage
Covered with vines, this rustic metal plant cage makes an attractive addition to your flower garden. In the vegetable patch, it’s a great support for peppers or tomatoes. It’s built from inexpensive concrete reinforcing steel (rebar) connected by twisted wire.
You’ll need three 10-ft. lengths of 3/8-in. (No. 3) rebar (you’ll have a little extra) and about 20 ft. of 16- or 18-gauge wire. You’ll find 3/8-in. rebar at home centers ($6 for a 20-ft. length). Ask the supplier to cut standard 20-ft. lengths in half to make it easier to haul.
Project Directions:
1. Gather Supplies and Measure
Bend 10-ft. lengths of 3/8-in. rebar around a 5-gallon bucket to form two arches as shown. Drill two holes in the side of the bucket and loop a wire through the holes and around the rebar hold it in place while you do the bending. Slip a 3-ft. length of 1/2-in. pipe over the rebar for better leverage and control. Use the same technique for bending the hoops, but wrap the rebar completely around the bucket to form a circle. Then cut the straight section off with a hacksaw, leaving the hoop and a few inches of overlap. Wrap and twist-tie wire around the overlap to form the two hoops.
2. Connect Hoops to Uprights
Stack the two hoops on the ground. Poke the ends of the two arches a few inches into the ground inside the hoops. Twist a 12-in. length of wire around the intersection of the two arches to secure them. Cut off the extra wire. Then slide the first loop up to about 16 in. from the top and wire it in place. Stand back and eyeball the hoop to make sure it’s level and the uprights are evenly spaced before you tighten the tie wires. Repeat this process for the second hoop, leaving about 16 in. between hoops.
