Joanne. I am using the side of my lil ones crib for climbing vines. This year just to see how they climb it, I propped it against the house. So far they are doing pretty well though I have had to coax some of the vines between the slats.

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We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart.

hey Joanne,
I just saw on a gardening show this morning.take 6 window panes without glass and screw them together in 2 triangles(bottom then top) then add them together to make 1 tall structure,add a top made of whatever looks good. they did a triangle on top to look like a "steeple"? and anchor to the ground.

it was cute.

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ahh, the glassless windows are a good idea!

jo, the kind with the 6 panes inside the frame - just keep an eye out on trash day for windows that are being thrown out due to being replaced...just take out the glass panes and you're good to go!

and the crib parts will also work well!

for the existing poles, just twirl the vines up/around the pole as they grow. you can even take two seperate vines (from the same plant or two different) and intertwine them together...eventually they will grow into each other - thus providing support for itself.

(if you remember, i showed you my jackmani and how it was doing that).

you could also put some small nails or tacks into the pole to provide some extra support (to hold the vine in place) until it's grown enough to support itself.

wow! 8 with 2 more on the way????

lol, you really HAVE become addicted, haven't you??

LOL...

can't beat 50 cents for a clematis!!!!

Great idea Penny, thanks! I love the look of old gates in cottage style gardens. I'll have to keep my eye out for one or two. I wonder if I could grow them over an old wooden chair too. I should start looking at pictures of country gardens and see what kind of ideas it gives me. Thanks again!!

Joanne

Hello,

I recently made a trellis from an tall old (1970's) lamp. It cost $4 at the thrift shop.

I have pictures on my garden blog here:
http://empressofdirt.blogspot.com/2006/08/1970s-lamp-becomes-trellis.html

I'm always looking for tall, weather-tolerant items at the junk shops because they make great garden supports for a variety of purposes.

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~Melissa in Canada
My Garden Blog
My Garden Art/Junk

Wow Mel, that looks great. (>: Nice salvage!

What great finds Melissa and Melcon! I've been keeping my eye out for things to use but haven't had any luck so far. We have the township large pick up coming next month so I'll be scouring the neighborhood.

Joanne

Hi Mel,

Sounds like your town has a great setup. I've never heard of anything like that here but will check into it just in case. We have salvage stores galore but they all charge an arm and a leg for the "junk". I should check the craig list and see if there are any good freebies nearby.

Joanne

Great idea ND! I have extra chicken wire left over from a project that I can wrap around the birdhouse and birdfeeder poles. I was wondering how I would get the clematis to climb them. Thanks!

Joanne

Hi.My sister used an old stepladder that was no longer safe to use for her clemantis vine. I used a treated 4"X4" with dowel rod inserted into it here and there to tie string onto until it got started. I see there are several great ideas for recycling here which I am all for. Sandra

An old ladder would look great if I can find one. Thanks for the idea Daff!

Wrennie, your post about the window inserts is what got my curiosity going about other things to use. I LOVE how yours came out and plan to do something similar with french door inserts. I hadn't thought about using the netting, thanks for pointing that out!

Joanne