How to Make an All-Natural Wild Grapevine Wreath

 

The best time to make a fall wreath with wild grapevine is in the fall and after a good soaking rain. When the grapevine is wet it is more flexible. 

Also, before starting a wreath be sure you are not pulling grapevine from a tree that is dead. You do not want branches breaking down on your head! Beware, too, of any poison ivy, which sometimes grows with it.

To begin, I started with the thickest end of the grapevine.

I then began to wind it around somewhat tight (not going in and out of the wreath) going from front to back as I go around. Tuck the end piece into the wreath to secure it. You can use twine to secure it easier, but I wanted to try making it without using anything man-made, though twine is a natural material made from cotton, sisal, or hemp so maybe I should have said "store-bought". I may still use it once the wreath has dried out. I put the wreath in a dry, hot room to let it air-dry.

This is what it looks like still wet. I may add some natural items to it like pine cones or dried flowers or berries. I recently found an old, unused bird's nest so it may end up on the wreath (note-it is a good idea to make sure a nest is not full of lice or droppings if you plan to use one). 

So, the leaves dried, as I knew they would. Those won't last, but I like it just the same. I decided to add dried panicle hydrangea and dried zinnias. The birdhouse wasn't going to work. I'm not sure of the type of bird that made it, but it was mostly made of mud, not the kind I usually find that is mostly grass types or goat fur from our goat who sheds in summer. I did end up adding a bit of "Dog hemp" rope that I had made last year to secure it, as this one I will sell. I love that it is 100% natural with no wire or other man-made items.

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