Free Fall Wreath DIY From your Backyard Gardening Projects by Laura Walters Printer Friendly Version Finding decorations in the woods is a beautiful fall activity that takes you outdoors long after your year’s gardening is completed. It’s simple to make stunning wreaths using the natural materials you can find in your backyard in just an hour. The most significant part is that it’s free! Learn how to create a simple autumn wreath using the plants you can find and gorgeous fall wreaths you can make yourself. Foraging for Vines to make wreaths can purchase grapevine wreath forms at craft stores, but designing your own is more enjoyable!
The ideal time to harvest your vines is from late fall to early winter, when the leaves begin to fall and vines are dormant. If you harvest vines during the latter part of winter or when the sap starts to flow (think the maple syrup season), the vines are more likely to snap rather than bend. Wild grapes are a great option, but you can utilize any vine plant to create fall-themed natural wreaths. Honeysuckle, willow, Kudzu, and even raspberry canes are suitable to weave. Foraged vines keep undesirable plants like honeysuckle and Kudzu from encroaching on your garden and lawn. Another benefit to making your fall wreath! If there aren’t plants in your yard, ask your neighbors if they allow you to forage on their property. Don’t cut vines or plants on someone else’s property without permission. Most people are thrilled to rid their property of excessively crowded vines, so inquire first! If you locate an excellent section of vines, take your pruning tools and begin cutting. 3 to 5 feet in length are ideal for wreaths. However, you can cut them shorter if required. How to Make a Grapevine Wreath If the vines are still covered with leaves, The second step would be to get rid of the leaves.
Make sure not to remove the tendrils that curl. They can help keep the plant material in place while you design the wreath and add personality. You’ll need 10-12 vines to make a wreath, but that number can differ based on the dimensions. A larger arrangement will need more plants.
When your vines are transparent and clear of foliage, it’s time to gently set them in a bucket or tub of water for a minimum of one hour. Based on how sturdy your vines are and how long it takes between slicing and weaving, this process could last up to an hour or more. Once your vines are flexible and soft, they can be weaved. Explore other weaving options with vines. Start with the longest, the thickest vine. Create a circle of the desired size. The thin end is wrapped around the looped vine to form an edging for your wreath. Choose the second largest vine, put it beneath the base vine, and weave it around and over until you get to the top, which is the end of your second vine.
In this stage, you realize why you shouldn’t have the vines to be too lengthy. They could be cumbersome! If ones are excessively long or stiff in the thick part, Cut them down so they are simpler to work with.
Continue wrapping each one until you’ve reached the end before picking up the next one that is thicker and repeat. Repeat the process until your wreath has reached the desired size. Every when you add a new vine, you should place it around an inch further away from the previous end to create a consistent and even appearance. It is possible to weave vines between or over each other, but it’s just an issue of which is most suitable for your needs. Be constant and stay in the direction you decide to go in. You may alternate with each other vine to create a look like a nest; however, in the case of your first attempt at weaving, it’s simpler to stick with one direction. Put in any unwelcome pieces that have popped out. It isn’t easy to weave if there are many tiny tendrils, but they’re adorable and add to the character of your home that they are worth the effort!
Once you’re satisfied with your arrangement, put it on the wall or set it somewhere dry, breezy, and dark over a few days to weeks. Also, you can use zip ties to shape the flowers so they bend to the curve of the wreath. Include some greens with slivers of evergreens. Incorporate the stems in the wreath frame or tie them with a zip tie. Cut any greens and flowers that are too large to create your desired style. Continue adding and arranging, and if you aren’t happy with the look of your wreath, take a break and try it over! Try experimenting with the arrangement before you secure the wreath. Once satisfied, bring in the zip tie or wire to make the floral arrangement. Cut any long stems, and then clip the ends of the zip tie. Be sure to leave a portion of your wreath hanging so everyone can admire your beautiful wreath of grapevines. This is the last step in hanging your beautiful wreath!
