Ghostly Garden Magic: How to Create an 8-Foot Spectacle in a Snap
Summer is Behind Us. Your Garden is Done. The Beds are Cleared. The Soil is Turned. There's a Cold Snap in the Air. Now is the Perfect Time for the Towering Garden Ghost to Appear...
Let's Make a Garden Ghost in a Flash...
Ready?? Let's Go!!
Materials to Create Your Garden Ghost:
- 4- Wire Tomato Cages (Ghost Body - Armature)
- 6- White Plastic Garbage Bags
- 1- Paint Roller with Extension Pole (Ghost Arms)
- Duct Tape
- 3 - Paper Plates
- 2 - Battery Candles with Timer
- 1 - Ikea Netting Drapery Panel
1. Frame Preparation – The Backbone of Your Ghost
Stake two wire tomato cages firmly in the garden soil, and then crown them with the remaining two cages, linking the rings together at the top.
Buy a set of 4 tomato cages using this Amazon LINK.
2. Secure Cage Rings with Duct Tape
We are going to secure the rings of the cage together with duct tape, this will also create a base for the plates and battery light to sit on.
Create a crisscross pattern for the base.
3. Add an Eerie Glow
Secure the paper plate to the bases you just created and set the battery candles on top of each plate.
4. Add the Arms
The Paint Roller with the extender pole will be the arms of the garden ghost.
Thread the paint roller through the tomato cages, attaching it with duct tape.
5. Veil the Ghost Form
Cover the tomato cage armature with white plastic garbage bags.
Make sure the entire form is covered with these white bags.
6. Create the Ghostly Face
For the garden ghost face, poke 2 holes in the top rim of the paper plate.
Draw Simple Black Ghost Eyes and Mouth on the Paper Plate.
Once decorated with a face, the plate can be stuck on the top of the cage stakes.
This is what the ghost looks like from the back. It isn't pretty but it is stable and secure.
Here is the front view of the ghost form.
Now let's add the finishing touch.
7. Drape the Ghost with Netting
An Ikea netting drapery panel serves as the perfect ethereal garb.
Thread a cord through the drapery channel, and tie it in a knot to create a ring.
Drop the drapery panel ring over the top of the armature allowing it to cascade gracefully, embodying the true essence of your Garden Ghost.
It is a little more goofy than creepy in the daylight, the night is when the Magic Happens...
8-Foot Garden Ghost Tutorial
At dusk, the candles turn on...
And the garden ghost slowly begins to come alive.
As the Sky Darkens...
A menacing Spector Floats into the Garden Space...
Standing strong against the Autumn Cold...
And Just a Little Bit Scary every Night.
For All the Magic...Jeanne of Doodle T and Me!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?