How to Make a Gorgeous Gourd Topiary For Your Fall Decor

Alicia W
by Alicia W
6 Materials
$30
2 Hours
Easy

It's time to clean out the garden but don't put the tomato cages away just yet. I'm going to show you how to make a DIY gourd topiary for fall. This simple topiary is easy and cheap to make, and it looks really effective. Let's get started!

Tomato cages

Tools and materials:

  • Chicken wire
  • Tomato cages
  • Wire cutters
  • Container
  • Large rocks
  • Potting soil
  • Gourds
Wrapping the chicken wire around the tomato cage

1. Wrap the tomato cage

Wrap the chicken wire around the outside of the tomato cage.

Cutting the chicken wire

2. Cut the chicken wire

Once you have the chicken wire around the entire outside of the tomato cage, use wire snips to cut.

Securing the chicken wire

3. Secure the chicken wire

Bend the cut ends of the chicken wire together (red line).

Cut and bend the wire around the top and bottom of the tomato cage (yellow circles).

Covering the tomato cage with chicken wire

4. Completely cover tomato cage

If your chicken wire isn't wide enough, cut another piece and secure it to the tomato cage using the steps above. 

Making a cylinder with chicken wire

5. Make a cylinder

Using another piece of chicken wire, make a cylinder shape. This will be used inside the tomato cage so the entire cage doesn't have to be filled with gourds.

Prepping the container

6. Prep the container

I purchased a tall flower pot that was the width of the tomato cage. I placed large rocks in the bottom, then recycled bottles, then potting soil.

Placing the tomato cage

7. Place the tomato cage into the container

Place the top (large end) of the tomato cage into the container, so that it is upside down. Push it into the potting soil so it is stable.

Placing the cylinder inside the tomato cage

8. Place the cylinder

Place the chicken wire cylinder into the tomato cage, placing it near the back. Push it into the soil and add a rock for stability.

Adding the gourds to the topiary

9. Add gourds

Carefully place your gourds into the tomato cage. You now see the purpose of the chicken wire cylinder, to take up space inside the tomato cage. The empty space will be at the back of the topiary so no one will see it.

Placing a gourd at the top

10. Reaching the top

Once you've filled the tomato cage, place one gourd on the top. Take the three ends of the tomato cage and place them on the sides of the gourd (this will hold it in place).


Use wire to hold the ends of the cage together (yellow circle).

DIY gourd topiary

DIY gourd topiary

I have to tell you - people have been walking by my house wondering how the gourds are staying in place. From far away, you can't see the chicken wire!


I love this unique topiary. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.



DIY fall project ideas

For more creative autumnal decor projects, discover Hometalk's top fall DIY ideas here.

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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 19 questions
  • Virginia Virginia on Jul 30, 2020

    Why not Just use the chicken wire as a temporary “holder”and hot glue fake gourds or pine cones or Easter eggs or whatever and then remove your Chicken wire cage. It should give the topiary look without keeping the chicken wire permanently there??


  • Yvonne Yvonne on Jul 30, 2020

    Will the gourds spoil

  • Katen Katen on Oct 12, 2023

    I love celebrating Harvey’s time and this is perfect to enjoy natures bounty. However I put quite a few gourds/pumpkins on porch last year. The critters that came to snack! Ate produce AND left droppings. Could you use artificial elements? Real has better look and added weight in wind but you don’t have visitors either (yes baby deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks and during day birds, feasting). I had no idea any of them liked these things

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  • Jcap Jcap on Aug 09, 2023

    i would like it better if the chicken wire and the tomato cage weren’t visible when it’s finished. Ivy-real or fake, leaf garland? Or spray paint the metal components before constructing… something to distract from all the metal in the finished product.

  • Alicia W Alicia W on Aug 13, 2023

    From far away you really don’t see the metal, your eyes focus on the gourds. You could of course put ivy around it but that will take away from the intent which are the gourds

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