Using Scarecrows as a Garden Guard
(Page 2 of 2)
May/June 2009
Ruth Ditchfield
Make your own scarecrow
RELATED CONTENT
I’ve been questioned many times over the years about preventing pet damage in the garden. My answer...
Electric fencing innovations have revolutionized grazing and protection....
It's easy, if you identify - and exploit - your enemy's weaknesses....
Constructing a scarecrow is a lot of fun, and it gives you a chance to reuse old items you have around the house. As an artistic decoration, scarecrows can be creative activity for the entire family. Your scarecrow can be as simple as a hat on a pole with some clothing hung on it or one complete with face, head, hair, hat, legs and feet.
How to make a scarecrow: Collect old clothing – a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, a pair of pants, overalls, garden gloves (for the hands) and boots or shoes.
Traditional stuffing is straw, but old rags, leaves or anything waterproof can be used. Newspapers work if stuffed inside plastic bags.
You will need two pieces of wood or pipe for the frame. One piece (vertical stake) should be long enough to accommodate the clothing height and sufficient additional length to be driven securely into the ground. The shorter piece (horizontal stake) should approximate shirt’s sleeve lengths combined. Nail, screw or lash the pieces together at shoulder height.
For the head, stuff a cloth bag, a pillowcase, a "bag" made from old pantyhose, milk jugs or gourds. Secure the head onto the vertical stake with a string. For facial features use permanent markers, waterproof paints or sew on material or buttons for eyes and a nose. Hair can be made from yarn, raffia, an old mop or strips of fabric. Fasten on a straw hat.
Next, place the shirt onto the frame using the horizontal stake as the arms. Button up the shirt, add the stuffing and tie the shirt's waist so the stuffing stays in place. Tie the leg ends of a pair of pants and stuff. Use hot-melt glue, safety pins, rope and thread to hold the scarecrow together. Prop leg ends into shoes and pin stuffed gloves to ends of shirt sleeves. Leaving a flap or two of clothing for the wind to catch might help your scarecrow do its job.
Once you are satisfied, go ahead and install your scarecrow in the garden to keep the birds away or along the front sidewalk to greet visitors. Some folks give their scarecrow a chair to sit in or a bicycle to ride. Use your imagination … and remember that making changes to your scarecrow might keep the birds at bay a little bit longer. Either way, dotting the countryside with scarecrows will bring many smiles and help keep this icon alive for future generations to enjoy.
Ruth Ditchfield is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in nature and gardening. She grew up on a small farm and now calls Inverness, Florida, home. In her travels she keeps a lookout for creative scarecrows.
Page:
<< Previous 1 | 2 |