How do you anchor a metal dress form into garden dirt permanently?

Adr6475433
by Adr6475433
Garden art: To create a dress with climbing flowers, I bought a metal, ladies figure, dress form. The 4 legs end in a curled up loop. How can I anchor this dress form onto/into the garden dirt permanently, throughout all 4 seasons including wind & snow, and not have it fall over. It will be located in an uncovered area open to the elements (no overhangs or covered porches on this historic home.) I'm desperate for solutions.

  11 answers
  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 18, 2017

    Are you prepared to keep the form in you garden even after it becomes rusty? Dress forms are not made to be used outdoors, so I would doubt it if it was rust-proof........

    • See 1 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 20, 2017

      Yes, RustOleum is a quality product, so it should be effective. Being that the form was not originally made for outdoor use, it may need more touchups than other exterior items, but it seems that you already have an experience approach to maintenance.

      Post a picture to share your "dressed up" garden decor!

  • Karen Tokarse Karen Tokarse on Nov 18, 2017

    Dig a hole, fill it with QuikCrete, pour in some water, wait until it start to harden and STICK in that frame!

  • 27524803 27524803 on Nov 18, 2017

    Clear coat the dress form with several coats of Rustoleum to prevent rust.

    We used "hair pins" made of 1/2 in rebar about 16 inches long (once bent) and hammered them down over the legs of a Harbor Freight garage/shade structure...into the dirt and it never blew over. 1/4 in rebar should work for your dress form... if your dirt is very hard... use a large screw driver or spike to start the holes.

    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 18, 2017

      Thanks ... I will look into the rebar notion. I'm not familiar with rebar as I type - but would like to learn anyway.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 18, 2017

    So it does not have a center rod support structure?

    I was thinking that the center pole could be permanently fixed in a bucket of cement and that bucket decoratively encased or buried in the soil.

    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 18, 2017

      It does have a center rod but it's attached to the 4 legs. I need all the height I can get. It's total height isn't quite 5 ft.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 18, 2017

    I would hammer a metal pipe into the ground with a sledgehammer below any frost line.... then mix cement and put your form in place with a couple wooden supports to keep it level, and pour the cement in to secure it.

  • Carolyn Moore Carolyn Moore on Nov 18, 2017

    Tent stakes.

    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 18, 2017

      Thanks ... I'll look into this idea too. I'm not the camping type ... do I find those as a basspro shop or where?

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 18, 2017


    Without all the drama,use heavy stakes made specifically for lawn ornaments.Home Depot has the heavy spikes available in the Lumber dept

    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 19, 2017

      Thank you for the helpful hint ... I will surely hunt for heave stakes. I hope I can loop them thru the curly-Q foot loops. I appreciate your idea.

  • Carolyn Moore Carolyn Moore on Nov 18, 2017

    Bass Pro has them.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 20, 2017

    Set it in Concrete

    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 25, 2017

      Thank you ... that seems to be the general consensus here. Will add this comment to my notebook.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 20, 2017

    As far as mounting the form, keep in mind that to withstand wind, usually structures should be "anchored" underground with a length equal to the height showing above ground. I would suggest that you permanently install one or two poles into underground concrete, using the same method as with small or narrow fence posts.

    To allow removing for maintenance, attach the dress form to the pole with clamps, or wire.


    • Adr6475433 Adr6475433 on Nov 25, 2017

      Thank you. Our fence posts were anchored in that fashion so I understand what you mean. Just sounds to permanent & elaborate. I'm still adding all these suggestions to my notebook.