Colette O'Neill

How To Make A Willow Wigwam Plant Support…for Free!

Place a tyre on the ground.

This acts as a guide to the size of the wigwam.

Insert poles of Willow, Hazel or Ash into the ground around the tyre…it helps if the ground is soft!

Tie the poles together at the top, string will do, but I use a few thin ‘whips’ of Willow!

Now, you can begin weaving…

Starting with a long stem of Willow, begin to weave in and out between the poles.

Each strip woven in will begin to strengthen the support.

You can experiment with different weaves, but working with 2 lengths at a time, twisting together between each pole will make it VERY strong!

It starts to come together!

Mistakes are easily undone and made good…take heart.

My strong advice is to experiment to find the technique that suits you best…try using other materials as well!

Once the structure is fairly sound, you can continue the weave up to the top, like this, or weave separate rings into it.

Personally, I like to spiral the Willow upwards towards the top, using double lengths and twisting twice between poles.

Gently remove the poles from around the tyre…

And here’s the finished project.

Willow wigwam in a permaculture garden in February

 

9 comments

  2. Thanks Colette for all your wonderful posts and common sense. We really appreciate them and each post brightens the day.

    Reply

  4. Hello,
    I have printed you instructions for the Wigwam and will make some in the spring. It will go right into my Garden Book. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for growing peas, beans even cucumbers. Thanks for always giving us things to think about and things to make for free.

    Reply

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