Turn your yard into a Halloween spectacle with these Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions—easy, affordable, and spooktacular!
So you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest and TikTok, spellbound by those wickedly charming tomato cage ghosts. But let’s be real. All that Googling has gotten you nowhere—except maybe a few rabbit holes.
We’ve got the tomato cage ghost instructions and deets you have been searching for, so I got you, my Halloween Spook masters! Stick around and banish the mystery. No tricks, just treats!
In a time when everything from gas to groceries has skyrocketed in price, why should Halloween seasonal decor be any different? And consider how short-lived the season of hauntingly fun outdoor decor is, as it is up for about a month or less.
The solution to the expense: easy DIY outdoor ghosts using tomato cages. Our tomato cage ghosts are ridiculously affordable, chic, and an utterly beautiful DIY solution to light up your yard.
***But act fast! As the season changes, stores quickly clear out their garden supplies. So, head to your local home improvement store, locate the Lawn & Garden aisle, and grab at least four tomato cages. Trust me; you’ll want them for my legendary Tomato Cage Christmas Trees later!
Hot Tip For Tomato Cages at Home Improvement Retailers >> If you don’t see any in the lawn and garden, ask; they wrap them and put them on the top shelf, so get there crafters, go!
Table of Contents
Ghostly Reasons You Will Like Tomato Cage Ghosts
DIY Outdoor ghosts are a total win.
- Kid-Friendly: This is a great project to get the little ghouls involved!
- Budget-Friendly: The materials are insanely affordable, and you might already have them in your home.
- Quick to Assemble: This isn’t an all-day affair; you’ll have your ghosts up in no time.
- Weatherproof: Vinyl tablecloths? Check. Outdoor lights? Check. Tomato cages that already live in the garden? Double-check.
The 5-step Outdoor Ghost DIY overview
Need a quick grasp of the project before diving into the nitty-gritty details. Here you go, and keep reading because I dig in with the tips to help your outdoor ghosts DIY stay there without losing their white tablecloth covering!
- Invert the tomato cage and secure it into a triangle shape.
- Wrap or secure the lights around the cage.
- Attach a “head” to the top of the cage using your chosen material.
- Drape one or two plastic tablecloths over the frame.
- Add eyes and a nose using low-temp hot glue.
Materials You’ll Need: No Bones About It, Gather Your Gear
- Tomato Cage: Either a 32″ or 42″ galvanized type. Your choice!
- Outdoor Lights: A 50-count white light set. Target’s got ’em for $2.
- A Plastic Table Cloths: Your canvas for creating a ghastly silhouette.
- For the Head: A plastic bag, an 8-inch wreath frame, or dare I say, get creative!
- Zip Ties: Because no one likes a flimsy ghost.
- Low Temp Hot Glue Gun: A crafter’s best friend.
- Foam Eyes: Totally optional, but a spooktacular touch.
5-Step Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions. No Hocus Pocus Here
Use my short video to see this happen, but it is so easy. This is kindergarten-level crafting, trust me! Don’t make tomato cage ghosts harder than they are; they are a simple DIY and fast to make!
Step 1: Light It Up and Secure That Tomato Cage
Flip that tomato cage upside-down and tie those prongs together with a zip tie to form your ghost’s noggin. Then, go straight into stringing those twinkling lights around the cage. Make sure it’s evenly distributed, y’all.
Step 2: Choose Your Tomato Cage Ghost’s Cranium
Now, it’s time to get artsy. You’ve got options galore for your ghost’s head—a stuffed white plastic bag, a nifty 8-inch wreath frame from Dollar Tree, or even an 8-inch Styrofoam ball if you’re feeling fancy. Secure your chosen cranium with zip ties, adding a bit of extra stuffing for that 3D oomph.
I used the wreath frame covered with a stuffed white plastic bag to add that 3D oomph, but I could have left it just as the frame, in all honesty, because tomato cage ghosts are fine any way you craft them.
Step 3:Drapery and Durability of DIY Outdoor Ghosts
This is part of my DIY tomato cage ghost instructions you’ll really want, or your ghost will fly away (well, its table cover will!) One simple step keeps your table cover on and centered, and this is what you need to perfect these DIY outdoor ghosts.
Grab that low-temp glue gun and run a quick line of glue across the head you made, as it will be what keeps that white vinyl cloth from flying away. Drape your vinyl tablecloth right over the glue.
Tie or staple the sides not to expose the tomato cage, but rather so your ghost doesn’t attempt a Great Escape in October winds.
Pro tip: One tablecloth worked like a charm for me, but hey, you do you, and if you want to layer up your tomato cage ghosts, go ahead. I just shortcut, and all is good.
Step 4: Eye Spy a Spooky Ghost
Bust out those Dollar Tree foam eyes and stick them on with low-temp glue. Don’t even think about markers unless they’re weatherproof; trust me on this one. I don’t suggest spray paint either unless you are a pro artist, or you will get running mascara eyes! (yep, we tried it.)
Step 5: The Final Touch – Light ‘Em Up!
Plug in those lights, and step back to marvel at your DIY mastery. It’s so simple you’ll want to make another. And another.
On Material Choices and Reusability
Here’s a pro tip: If you’re hesitant about dedicating a tomato cage to your spooky artistry, worry no more. The beauty of this DIY is that it’s fully reversible.
Once Halloween is over, you can easily disassemble your ghost and reuse the tomato cage for its original tomato-supporting purpose.
Now, let’s talk materials.
We tested everything from bedsheets to mesh material.
- Bedsheets got too heavy when wet and heavy and clung to the tomato cage
- Pillowcases are too tight; there’s no flow, no reality to them, no thanks!
- White material mesh, even combined with tulle, was too transparent (the cage showed)
- But a plastic tablecloth? That’s the goldilocks of ghost garments. One layer gives a nice glow, and two layers offer a darker effect, depending on the number of lights you use.
On Stuffing the Ghost Tomato Cage Head and Sizing
Let’s talk about this for a second. Someone suggested styrofoam balls, but Hobby Lobby And all the other crafting stores are a standard $8+ for a styro 8-10″ ball.. um, no thanks; this is a DIY on a budget, and that is ridiculous. I might as well go buy a ghost for the outdoors! But if that appeals to you, go for it; it just seemed like a waste.
We did find styro skeleton heads at the dollar tree, but it was too small in diameter, and well, we passed on that.
Want to give your ghost more depth? Stuff a plastic bag with filler and secure it over the wire wreath frame. For this, you’ll tie off the bag so the stuffing fills the opening in the middle of the frame. That was our go, and it was inexpensive and reused stuff I had lying around.
The TOMATO Cages For Tomato Cage Ghosts
For sizing, we used a 32-inch tomato cage. It’s on the smaller side but packs a punch in the spook department. You could buy the 42″ one if you prefer or alternate sizes; I just did not do that. Personal preference. Also, I didn’t really go BUY them. I had them in my yard from summer planting, to be clear, but when I bought them, they were 32″.
Glue Gun and Weather Conditions + Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions
I would be remiss if I did not remind you about glue guns, plastic, foam, and weather.
First, use a waterproof hot glue for both cool and hot glue temperatures (it’s what I do)
If you don’t use waterproof glue for your glue gun, remember using a hot glue gun could be a gamble if you place your ghost outside. The weather elements can mess with the glue, causing your foam or felt eyes possibly fall off. So, take the weather into account when you’re planning and crafting your tomato cage ghosts.
Next, use the low glue gun setting ONLY, or you will melt the plastic, and well, there goes your DIY outdoor ghosts that you just made.
Lighting Up Your DIY Outdoor Ghosts: Bargain Hunting for Lights
We snagged a 50-count white outdoor light set from Target for just two bucks! That’s right; they’re stocking them in the aisles as we speak, so grab ’em while you can.
Remember, only use outdoor lights. If you want a different color, you will have to seek them out I went with white to get the color to show best.
Extra Juicy Details: DIY Pro Tips to Elevate Your Ghost Game
- Why Low Temp Glue? Keep your tablecloth intact so it does not melt the plastic.
- Weather Watch: Use waterproof low temp hot glue and stake those tomato cages down so they don’t fly.
- Recycle & Reuse: Finished haunting? Disassemble your ghost and return the cage to its daytime job—supporting tomatoes! Or you can use my fabulous DIY tomato cage Christmas tree it is easy and a great way to decorate your outdoor areas.
FAQs Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions DIY
- How do you make a ghost from a tomato cage?
Quick answer: With a tomato cage as the skeleton, add lights for glow and drape a vinyl tablecloth over the frame. Presto, you’ve got a ghost! - What size tomato cage works best for these ghosts?
I used a 32-inch cage, but feel free to go bigger (42″) if you want your ghost to stand taller. - How much fabric do I need?
A 52″ x 108″ Dollar Tree white tablecloth works perfectly. - What should I use for the ghost’s head?
You’ve got options! Styrofoam balls, plastic bags, or mylar balloons work well.Just make sure to use white on top of the ballon to you can’t see it (plastic bag)
You can change up so many different things for these diY outdoor ghosts so the sky is the limit but your ghost is grounded on a tomato cage so you are sure it won’t be flying anywhere soon.
Take Your Halloween Decor to the Next Level with Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions
As we’ve shown you, creating a spooky yard setup doesn’t require a horror movie budget or special effects. Our Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions are foolproof and budget-friendly.
Now for the bonus tidbit: Did you know you can also use glow-in-the-dark paint to give your tomato cage ghosts that extra ‘boo’ factor at night? Yes, you heard it here first!
Ready to turn your yard into a ghostly paradise? Don’t wait until the witching hour; follow our Tomato Cage Ghost Instructions today and let your creativity haunt your neighbors with envy! Tell me what you are doing the same or different in the comments below! ~Dana XO
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