You're welcome.

I hope anyone who tries the idea will post photos so we can all enjoy them.

Thanks for the confirmation on the tube. I have used them on 1/4 inch copper tubing at work, but never used it on larger diameter tubes. Now to look for some cheap, or better yet, free, source of tubing

Hi Pirl, thanks for this very useful tip.

I use half inch rebar as I prefer something that goes solidly into the ground and I use it mainly for staking dahlias, and these are very often heavy, top heavy, plants. A twenty foot rebar divides into four five foot poles, two feet into the ground and three feet above will keep most plants upright, shorter for shorter plants.

I have been using cane toppers on them, but following your article I have wandered down to the local hardware store and bought a few drawer knobs and, funny enough, the rubber feet you put on wooden legs of chairs to prevent them from marking the floor.

The edge of copper tubing is as sharp as a knife, and hollow, so I would warn us all to be very careful about using it and make sure, as Pirl advises, that a topper is used at all times. I find corks split and are useful for only one season. Also modern corks are pretty poor and split horizontally.

Thanks

Thank you, Peter. I'd never have thought of the rubber feet for chair legs as toppers but may resort to it since I've been searching and can't find any pretty knobs (non pointed) locally.

Hi Arlene,

I am buying drawer knobs now and drilling them to put the right size hole in them for toppers. I will probably soak them in preservative and them varnish them.

I think I will call them "pearls", in deference to yourself.

Peter

You are so sweet, Peter! I intend to take mine in for the winter but you know how fleeting good intentions can be.

How very pretty! Love this idea!

Thanks. In January I bought a lot more.

Ooooohhhhh!!!!!!!!!

It's fun shopping online when they go on sale at Hobby Lobby in February. Most were 50% off.

Great idea and beautiful.

Thanks. It makes a snowy February day almost tolerable as I hunt for pretty knobs and try to match them to the dahlias. The dahlia is a terrible photo but the knob looks good!

The knob looks great.

Thanks. I feel like I'm sprinkling magic dust as I go from stake to stake placing the knobs!

I like that imagery.

More fun than weeding!

This is a great idea for every stake, support or upright. It turns them from impalers to hand-holds!

Usually when I lose my footing, the danger is poking an eye into a bush or limb. A few times, I almost bounced my head off a rock or low concrete wall. I love the idea of turning stakes into pretty things to grip!

They'd be prettier if I strung up those tiny lights from stake to stake but there is no electricity anywhere near that garden, and if I did do it, I'd probably strangle myself.

I'd love the idea of handrails in a garden! I did use a set of them when we had new steps made and they are attached to very old spruces (55 years old +). They are a big help for getting up after being on my knees too long as I weed or tend plants.


I've also seen them used as decor at a local nursery:

I like that idea.

Me, too. That nursery is loaded with great ideas.