Save spring prunings for edging and fairy house construction material
It's sunny in Portland today, and I was out in the garden in earnest for the first time in months. I pruned a neglected hydrangea, and while standing back to admire my handiwork, I naturally started brainstorming about what I could do with the clippings. I'm a cheap gardener which feeds my inclination toward DIY.
The straightest and most flexible of the pruned twigs could go into a rough construction of willow edging (although it won't be exclusively willow, obviously). I only have short bursts of time in the garden, so I never have enough twigs to construct an entire length of edging, but this is a project that can evolve, patchwork-like, over a month or two. Place the "stakes" (the thick supporting branches) and just weave in what you've got at the time. Each time you prune something, weave in a little more. Kids LOVE this. The picture above is a lovely example -- from Gayla Trail's journal (part of one of my fave gardening sites, You Grow Girl).
Another idea: fairy houses! Inspired by the book Fairy Houses Everywhere, this has become my daughter's favorite sunny day activity. Save small-scale twigs and artfully-twisted branches for building material. You can decorate with moss, bark, and blossoms.
Do you have any suggestions for using up spring prunings?
First - I have to say that I am jealous! I only wish I could be outdoors pruning right now. We just got another 4inches of snow (Alberta) and there seems to be no end in sight to our winter.
Second - that is a fantastic idea! I can't wait to try it out when I prune the dogwoods. Perhaps a fairy house is in order...
Posted by: Carrie | 27 February 2009 at 08:09 PM
you can use these to make garden trellises as well. i made a trellis for our green beans , and a little shade roof for some herb pots. it works really well if you also gather some of the larger limbs that fall after a storm, and then weave in the prunings. garden twine helps!
Posted by: joyjoy | 28 February 2009 at 07:54 AM
I love the fairy house idea! That really is a wonderful project to do with children, and now I want to check out the book you mentioned :)
Posted by: Laura | 28 February 2009 at 07:16 PM
Fabulous idea.
We recycle paper plates that are not too dirty after picnics / parties and use them to make fairy houses in the garden.
Posted by: Marita | 28 February 2009 at 08:23 PM
Great idea!
Posted by: Annie Pazoo | 03 March 2009 at 03:34 PM
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Posted by: new Pandora 2012 | 15 February 2012 at 12:13 PM