Soak wooden popsicle sticks in vinegar and weave them together and master gardeners say this old trick still works miracles
Directions
Fill the large glass baking dish with white vinegar until it’s about two-thirds full.
Submerge the wooden popsicle sticks fully in the vinegar. Allow them to soak for at least 24 hours. This will soften the wood, making it pliable for weaving.
After soaking, remove the sticks from the vinegar and let them sit for a few minutes to drain excess liquid.
Begin weaving the sticks together by overlapping the ends of two sticks and twisting them gently to interlock. Continue this process, adding more sticks and weaving them into the previous ones to create a flexible, continuous line.
Once you have a sufficient length of woven edging, carefully place it along the desired garden border, pressing the ends into the soil to secure them in place.
Repeat the weaving and placement process as needed to complete the desired border length.
Variations & Tips
For a more durable version, consider using bamboo skewers instead of popsicle sticks, which can withstand environmental elements better. If you want to add color, dye the sticks with natural wood stains before soaking them in vinegar. For gardens in wetter climates, consider adding a clear waterproof sealant to the finished edging to prolong its lifespan. You can tailor the height of the edges by using longer sticks or by stacking multiple layers of woven sticks for a more pronounced border.
