Use your obelisk to assist a vine, aid a plant with heavy fruit or just decorate an area of your garden.
An obelisk is a four-sided pyramid-shaped object. Originally they were made of stone and could be very large in size. The obelisk we are referring to doesn't have to be stone or huge. For our purposes making a three to four foot structure is large enough. To make it more compatable with your garden it helps to use materials that can be found in and around the area.
Materials Needed:
- Seven Bamboo rods four feet long
- Grapevine-approx. five foot cluster
- Wire
- Wire cutters
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Chalk
- Hand saw
Preparation
- Set aside three of the bamboo rods. The four remaining rods will be the corners of your four sided structure.
- Chalk one end of each of the four rods. This will be your bottom for measurements.
- Measure down each of the four rods marking 1 foot from the bottom and 1 1/2 feet from the top.
- Using a drill bit at least twice the width of your wire, drill a hole at each of the marks all the way through the rod. The direction of the hole isn't really important. It will be used to secure the wire from slipping and moving along the bamboo. Set aside the four rods.
- Take the three remaining bamboo rods and cut four 16" pieces and four 12" pieces.
Assembly
- Lay out two of the predrilled rods in an upside down "V" position. Lay one of the sixteen inch cut pieces across the bottom near the drilled holes overlapping the long rods. Wire into place using the drilled holes to insure they are secure.
- Repeat the process with a 12" piece at the upper drilled holes.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the remaining rods. This will leave you with two left over 12" rods and two 16" rods.
- Lay your two large pieces on their sides with the top touching. You can use books or anything sturdy to hold the pieces upright.
- Attach one of the remaining 16" pieces along the bottom at the drill hole marks you used previously using wire.
- Attach one of the remaining 12" pieces on the marks where the upper holes are drilled.
- Flip the piece over still making sure to brace the sides. Repeat steps 5 and 6.
The Finishing Touches
- If you are using your obelisk for heavy vegtables, you can go directly to step 4. If not, go to step 2
- Using your wire, attach one end of the grapevine cluster above the top drill hole marks on any of the rods.
- Wind the grapevine around the obelisk loosely. Attach it with wire at the last intersection with a rod.
- Place it in your garden and enjoy.
The copyright of the article Grapevine Obelisk in Crafts is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish Grapevine Obelisk in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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