Instead of throwing them in the trash or compost, use invasive vines to make a wild grapevine wreath for your home decor.
How many times have you purchased a grapevine wreath? I know I have purchased many. They are not very expensive, and they work well with so many projects. However, did you know you can make a wild grapevine wreath from vines you may have growing in your backyard?
Here’s a pic of a wild grapevine growing in the garden. It’s a real pest, and I do my best to pull it out during the season.
Make a Wild Grapevine Wreath
However, invariably there are still some around when it comes time for winter cleanup. Like this long one pictured above. Instead of throwing it in the compost, or waste pile, I decided to make a wreath from the old vine.
The process is incredibly simple. Just soak the grapevines in a bucket of warm water for about an hour. This will make them softer and flexible.
Pull the vines out of the bucket, and start at one end, making a circular coil.
Use the side branches to wrap around all the vines, keeping tidy and neat.
Allow the wreath to dry overnight, and it’s ready for any decor project.
They last a long time, so you can also store them for future use.
If you don’t have grapevines growing in your area, you can make wreaths from other vines too. Here’s a good video on how to make a wreath vine from fresh Virginia Creeper and Honeysuckle.
Safety Note: Make sure you know what you are working with, so you don’t end up making a wreath with poison ivy.
You can make them as big or small as your harvest allows. If you have a ton of vines, you might consider selling these wild grapevine wreaths at a local market. With zero cost in materials and very little production time, the profit margins are pretty good.
P.S. I really do have a lot of wild grapes vines popping up in the garden. So I have taken advantage of this problem and have made grapevine basket planters, a decorative grapevine sphere and made a living floral grapevine wreath with this crazy free material from my yard.
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Sarah says
If you use wild blackberry vines with thorns, won’t they be difficult to decorate once dried? I’d love to use mine if possible. Also, what other shapes have you made and how do you shape them?
Patti Estep says
Sarah, I have never used blackberry vines but have seen where others use them. You would have to remove the thorns. Wear a pair of leather glove and hold one end of the vine while you pull down and scrape off the thorns with your other hand.
Arlene Crowley says
I made a wreath from blackberry vines…these blackberry vines are growing in my yard. .from my next door neighbor’s yard.
The bad part about these vines is the large thorns. I enjoy the berries and also the wreaths I can make.
Patti Estep says
Yes, I bet they were troublesome to work with but with the right gloves why not. I love using things in nature that you’re probably going to toss in the compost pile anyway to decorate. Thanks for sharing Arlene.
Adele D says
Can you make the wreath with vines that are still green & just allow it to dry/harden?
Patti Estep says
Hi Adele,
Yes, you can use green vines too.
Zori Fernandez says
Zori
June 8, 2017
You’re not going to believe this, but I made my wreath from roots!!! I started planting some Crepe Myrtles and I kept pulling roots (very long ones). I tossed them a side to put them in the trash, but after seeing your post for wreaths, I thought, what a perfect idea for a wreath made from roots. Talk about FREE!! Thank You!!! 😊
Patti Estep says
Hi Zori,
A wreath from roots? That’s a first but why the heck not? I love it!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea!
Patti
Pamela says
I made mine from Wisteria vines too. Living in wine country that may seem odd but it was what I had growing and had plenty of when I pruned it to keep it in check.
carole says
Making wreath base is fun because you can create what you want. I’ve made wreaths using wisteria vines, they’re thicker but so fun to work with. Great tutorial and a neat reminder that sometimes we should begin creating with what we have before running to the store. Definitely opens the door to thinking outside the box which is always fun.
Patti Estep says
Hi Carole,
Yes. Wisteria is another great option. Thanks for mentioning it. I know I always get a thrill from creating something from nothing or for free so I hope my readers do too.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti