30+ Garden Projects using Sticks & Twigs
Creative garden features you can DIY for free using twigs, sticks, and branches. Ideas include trellises, plant supports, and garden artwork
You can spend a fortune kitting out your garden with edging, artwork, plant supports, and other garden features. Fortunately, there’s a lot of projects that you can DIY. Better yet, you can DIY with free materials like sticks and branches. When you’re next pruning your trees, bushes, grapevines, or raspberry canes, set the pieces aside for some of these projects. If you have willow growing on your land even better since it can be used to create all sorts of attractive and useful features for the garden.
Techniques
Each of the projects below has a link to their source and many include instructions on how to recreate them. If in doubt, consider making a project using your own method. Some common techniques for these garden projects include:
- Traditional Wattle weaving – here’s how including a video
- You can make many newly cut sticks bendier by soaking them in water
- Binding with garden string
- Gluing together with wood glue
- Nailing or screwing pieces together. Make sure to use nails that won’t rust unless you want that effect.
Obelisk made with Sticks & Branches
Natural Wood Raised Garden Bed
DIY Diamond Patterned Twig Lattice
I just found your site. This posting about twig & branch trellises and arbors etc is amazing.
The organic quality of the structures is so welcoming.
Thank you for posting.
I do not have access to many branches and twigs, but do have a few beautiful birch branches from a tree we had to remove from the garden. I can start with those.
I will be following your posts in the future.
Where do you get all the long sticks to weave together to make some of the larger projects?
If you have a larger property, you can coppice willow, hazel, and other types of shrubby trees. You can also use bamboo cut from clumps in the garden, providing that it’s thick enough.
The Full Moon Stick Lattice was designed by Whitten Hill Studio out of Kennebunkport.
Steve Doe
[email protected]
Thanks, Stephen! I’ve updated the link to the Whitten Hill Studio website :)
I have been thinking about this a lot recently and wondering how to go about it. I was so excited when I came across this post, it’s got great ideas to try. Thank you!
gardening is truly a labor of love. these are beautiful. thanks for sharing
I have just discovered your helpful videos. they are absolutely fabulous.
I love the idea of no – dig – as I can dig for so long then my back gets sore – so it’s great to know – when that happens. I’ll keep watching – as I am too going to dedicate a psych to wildlife – butterflies & bees & build a big hotel the frogs are already in residence!
Adding these ideas making garden we always wanted but extra special. A lovely feature. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Tanya,
I have just discovered your helpful videos – they are absolutely fabulous – Thankyou!
After just taking over an alotment last year & approaching our first planning, growing season – all the items covered are so very helpful.
I love the idea of no – dig – as I can dig for so long then my back gets sore – so it’s great to know – when that happens – I can have a go at your ideas – especially growing squash/pumpkins through weed suppressant material- ( without having to rely on my reluctant gardening husband !)
I’ll keep watching – as I am too going to dedicate a psych to wildlife – butterflies & bees & build a big hotel – the frogs are already in residence!
Thankyou again 👍🐸
You’re very welcome Jo! Love your enthusiasm and hope you have a great time on the plot this year :)
I saw ur blog on Pinterest and really love it! Very inspirational! I wish I can have a house with a garden and live in harmony with nature. It’s hard for my country though as our land is scarce and super expensive, most of us live in tall buildings. I guess I will just stick to potted plants for now and dream while reading/ watching ur garden :)
I wish everyone could have a garden — but potted plants is a great way to have your plants without much space. Maybe one day you’ll find a way to have a little piece of land to garden too. I hope so.
Thank you for sharing my wattle fencing! Lovely site :)
You’re so welcome Abby :) Thanks for coming up with the fantastic idea!
This is one of the magical things I have ever seen!
Question. I have some (many) Willow branches that I saved from a Willow I used to have. I know that these branches sometimes root when they are stuck in the ground. If my branches are 5 or 6 years old do you think I might be safe from “accidental propagation”?
You are safe! They might not be as bendy as they were when fresh but are excellent for supports and projects that they don’t need to be bent for.