Goodbye Bamboo Stakes: Support Your Plants With A Cheaper And Sturdier Alternative

If your tall or climbing plants have been falling over, leaning, or even breaking in half due to wind or the weight of their flowers, then chances are you have considered providing them with some extra support. Plant stakes are one of the most essential gardening tools for this job. Bamboo stakes are a classic option because they have a natural look and are generally made from organic materials. However, this means that they also have a tendency to break down, forcing you to buy new ones over and over again just to keep your plants properly supported.

So, if you're looking for something sturdier and more long-lasting, a great alternative to bamboo is rebar. These narrow bars are often used in a variety of construction projects to make concrete more structurally sound. But rebar is also a game changer for tall plants. Firstly, it is durable. Because rebar is made of metal, it is more able to withstand harsh outdoor conditions such as sunlight, strong winds, and consistent moisture, meaning that it has a much longer lifespan. This reduces the strain on your wallet because you won't have to keep going out to buy more stakes. Rebar is also incredibly sturdy, meaning that it is able to hold up against the weight of heavier plants without buckling or bending. It also has a unique industrial look, which is great for adding some rustic flair to your garden while still giving your plants extra support to help them grow well. And rebar stakes aren't only cheaper because you have to buy them less often, they can also be more affordable at the outset depending on where you source them.

The key to finding affordable rebar to support the plants in your garden is to look local. Rather than checking at big box stores which sell purpose-made plant stakes, for example, some people report that checking in with local small town steel suppliers is a great way to get scrap or leftover rebar for a reasonable price. Some places reportedly will even cut the rebar to whatever length you need for your plants for free. Local concrete supply companies can also be a good place to check because they often use rebar in their projects and may sometimes have spare pieces that are too short for their needs but perfect for your garden.

If you don't have any of those stores near you, another good place is to check online. Resale sites like Facebook marketplace and Craigslist allow you to see when people in your area are getting rid of scrap rebar they no longer need from their latest project. Many of these listings tend to be cheaper than store-bought garden stakes, particularly if you are able to collect them yourself and save the seller the trouble of taking the bars to a dump site. And don't forget to check with family or friends who may just have some spare rebar they'd be happy to offer you. Once you have collected your free or discounted metal, there are a few key tips for using it as effective plant support in your own garden.

When it comes to using rebar to help your plants grow upward, the first thing you will need to do is cut them to the right size. As mentioned, you may be able to get the seller to do this for you, or you can use an angle grinder with protective eyewear and gloves to safely cut them shorter. Keep in mind that scrap or leftover rebar may have developed some rust over time. This isn't necessarily an issue when it comes to your plants because iron is not very soluble, so it is unlikely that the rust will invade the moisture in the soil and affect the plant's health. It can also be a way to add charm to your yard with rusted metal. However, if you don't like the look of rusty rebar, you can either position it behind the plant so it isn't as visible or grind the rust away and coat it with weather-resistant paint in a color that blends in with the natural surroundings.

You will then need to drive the rebar into the ground. Make sure to push it in until it is nice and secure as rebar is heavier than bamboo and you'll likely need to dig it deeper into the base. Then, use a soft, readily-accessible material such as fabric scraps to gently tie your plant to the rebar support. The ridges on the rebar help prevent the ties from sliding down. It is also a good idea to put a cap or soft material such as a tennis ball over the end of the rebar to prevent any injuries. With a few ties to keep them in place, you can also DIY a trellis structure to upgrade your garden.