I’ve been spotting these colorful tomato cages in gardens around town. I love the fun colors! But since I have several metal tomato cages from previous years, and I happened to have a few partial cans of bright spray paint left over from previous projects, I thought I’d try making my own. I prefer to re-purpose old items instead of buying new when possible– this DIY Tomato Cage project will allow me to have a fun, colorful display in my garden while still utilizing the items I have on hand.
DIY Tomato Cage Project
The first step is to clean the tomato cages well with a rag and some cleaner. If there are any rust spots on the tomato cages, sand well with steel wool to eliminate them before cleaning.
Once the tomato cages are cleaned and ready to paint, you’ll need a good place to work. Always spray paint in a well ventilated area far away from anything that you don’t want paint to land on (keep in mind that overspray can travel). We set some old boards on top of a pair of sawhorses as a make-shift painting table. If you’re painting your DIY tomato cage outside, this is not a good project for a windy day.
I haven’t quite mastered the spray paint application technique. Luckily, I have a resident expert! Here are a few tips on how to achieve an even coat:
- Use short, even strokes.
- Keep the can moving. Don’t spray too much paint in one area at a time, this will cause puddles & dripping. Use multiple, light coats.
- Start spraying the paint just before you point the can at your starting point and end just after the end of the piece. This will help create a seamless, even coat.
After painting the undersides the tomato cages and allowing them to dry, we separated the boards so that the cages could slide in between. The color is looking fantastic!
Looking good! As soon as they dry completely, I’ll install my DIY tomato cages into my raised vegetable garden.
My DIY tomato cages look so fun in the garden! This is a great way to revive old metal tomato cages and add some whimsy to your garden. Don’t have any old tomato cages? Check out the selection of fun tomato cages available to purchase.
I am a Freelance Graphic Designer full of creative interests! In my spare time, I love to create something new from something old, embark on home decorating and renovation projects, try out new recipes, and attempt to garden. Beyond the artistic pursuits, I have a love for music and enjoy playing the piano and handbells.
