Corn Stalk Teepee Directions

An old European pagan tradition was to erect a Wicker Man, cornstalks in the shape of a teepee. A food offering was placed inside to celebrate the good harvest. Today we build a cornstalk teepee for children to enjoy as a seasonal playhouse or to create a rustic lawn decoration during the autumn months. Gardeners sometimes erect them as a decorative trellis for their vertical growing vegetables. With a little investment of time and labor, you can build a cornstalk teepee that will add rustic character to your landscape.

Dried cornstalks
Knife
Pointed stick
3 yards of twine
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest at least 15 dried cornstalks. Choose stocks that are firm to the touch and have leaves that are dry and crisp. Cut off each stalk at its base with a sharp knife.
- 2
  Shape the bottom of each stalk into a point with a sharp knife. It needs to be pointed enough to be staked into the ground.
- 3
  Draw a large circle on the ground with a pointed stick where you want to build your teepee. The circle will be the outline of the base for your teepee. Make it wide enough for a child to sit in the center if the teepee will be used as a playhouse.
- 4
  Follow the outline of your circle while you position your stalks side by side so that they touch each other. Insert the end of each cornstalk into the ground so that it is secure. Leave a gap for the entrance. It should be large enough for a child to crawl through to enter the teepee. Angle the tops of the stalks towards the center of the circle.
- 5
  Pull the tops of the cornstalks to the center of the circle. The stalks should overlap and help support each other. Don't remove the leaves. They will add to the rustic appearance.
- 6
  Wrap heavy twine several times around the tops of the stalks where they converge. Pull the twine tightly and tie secure knots. Cut the end of the twine. Your teepee should feel stable.

How to Make a Peanut Feeder for Squirrels

How to Build a Tin Rooster

Lawn Ornaments