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Cheap alternatives for plant supports
Hefty
Posts: 370
hey everyone, I was wondering if any of you had any thrifty tips on cheap alternatives for plant supports? I can't afford the fancy cast iron ones and need some to stop some plants flopping
i have canes already but need some of the circular style ones 
many thanks!!!
0
Posts
If you have any garden twine then 4 canes strategically placed with several rounds of twine at even intervals up the canes should help. Another thing you can do depending where you are is to glean the local countryside for twiggy branches from any suitable bush. I know they are not quite the circular kind you would like but maybe you could make appropriate cuts to surround your plants with a more natural support.
Wilkos may have some left.
http://www.wilko.com/canes+plant-supports/wilko-plant-support-45cm-diameter-2pk/invt/0340312
£5 for a twin pack.
I get creative with farmers twine between canes! You can make some lovely patterns.
Or go simple;
Have a look on here, Monty Don shows how to make your own plant supports.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hc473
In these 'cheapo' shops - Home Bargains, B&M etc, have hooped canes. Don't know how much they are or how suitable they would be, but might be worth a look if you have one nearby.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I always keep a selection of prunings from my dogwoods, twiggy branches and straight stems. You could use other shrubs/trees, esp. hazel, but I like dogwood as I have plenty and it looks good.
Use twiggy stems as said above and use straight(er) ones to make frames, either square or triangular, for taller, heavier plants - legs in the ground, cross pieces tied round with twine. You can do the same with bamboo, but it somehow doesn't look as good, unless you have a Japanese garden maybe
Wilko's also good for cheaper versions - 50p for 90cm plastic coated canes (3 or £1.50) and 33p for U-shaped bamboo canes (65cm height, 3 for £1) - bought a few this week, and will, as quite a few have said, be wrapping string round them (about ten million miles for 50p!). Cheapest way is of course the woody offcuts others mention, but they're more hassle and wont last as long.
Hope you find what you want!
Can anybody please suggest a supplier for bright steel 5-6mm to make the garden supports as described by MontyDon on Gardeners World. I live in the Croydon area.
Thanks