Gardening Container Gardens Container Plans & Ideas How to Build a DIY Gabion Plant Stand Easily create a pedestal planter using small stones and tomato cages. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 1, 2023 Project Overview Working Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Skill Level: Beginner The art of the gabion (a metal cage that holds stones) has been gaining popularity in the United States. Long used in Europe and Australia, gabions form table and bench supports, modern retaining walls, fire pits, and planters. For this twist on a gabion, all you'll need is three sturdy wire tomato cages, fieldstones, and a round paver for a top. With a few cuts and a few stones, you'll have a trendy, durable stand that creates vertical interest in the garden. To save money, you can use stones from your yard or buy small river stones in bulk from a quarry. Other possible toppers for your DIY plant stand include a piece of weathered wood, a round metal tray, or a scrap of slate. This planter takes only about an hour to make, but it can last for years in your garden. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Protective eye gear and gloves Bolt cutter Materials 3 4-foot-tall heavy-gauge wire tomato cage 16-gauge stainless-steel wire 250 pounds of 6- to 8-inch fieldstones 10-inch-diameter paver Planted container Instructions Jacob Fox Nest Cages Invert the three tomato cages and nest them. Turn each cage to create even grid openings. Wrap 4-inch lengths of wire at a few intersections around the cages to secure the gabion together. Jacob Fox Cut Off Cage Legs Wearing eye protection and gloves, use a bolt cutter to nip all the spiked anchor legs. Trim the legs to be even with the top ring. Even cuts will help ensure that the planter top stays level and sturdy. Related: Tomato Cage Plant Stand Jacob Fox Fill Cage Set the gabion cage in place and fill with fieldstones. First place the largest stones in, then arrange smaller rocks to fill the space without large gaps. Marty Baldwin Top With Paver and Planter Center a paver on top of the filled tomato cages. Place a planted container of your choice, (similar to this Better Homes & Garden Kamala Light Blue Resin Planter, $34, Walmart) on the paver. Editor's Tip: For a more refined look, or to add color, fill the gabion with stainless steel garden globes instead of rocks. You can find globe sets with various sphere sizes online or at nurseries. The globes last for years and can be used for future projects.