How to Make a Scarecrow to Frighten Unwanted Critters From Your Garden

Build a simple scarecrow of your own design using wooden garden stakes, some old clothes and shoes, a little imagination and a hammer.

STEP 1

Build Cross Frame

You’ll need two pieces of wood roughly the same size and shape to build a frame shaped like a cross. Insert the horizontal piece through both of the shirt sleeves and make sure it’s centered evenly through the garment.

STEP 2

Nail the Frame Together

Lay the horizontal piece of wood over the vertical one that you’ll be driving into the ground. Make sure that both pieces of wood meet at a 90-degree angle. Drive two nails into the wood and through the shirt, joining the frame members together.

STEP 3

Hammer Frame Into the Ground

Carefully hammer your scarecrow’s frame into the ground. Make sure the body faces the direction you want. Use a hammer to drive the vertical stake firmly into the ground.

STEP 4

Tie-Off Waistline

Using a small length of twine, tie off the end of the shirt at the waistline. Leave the top three or four buttons undone because you’ll need access for stuffing.

STEP 5

Tie-Off Sleeves Arms

Tie both of the sleeves shut using pieces of garden twine. If you’d like to add gloves to your scarecrow now is a good time to do that as well.

STEP 6

Stuff

Using handfuls of straw or dried grass, begin to stuff the chest cavity of your scarecrow. Make sure that you’ve stuffed it enough to give it a good solid shape.

STEP 7

Add Pants

You’ll need to stuff the pants before attaching them. Tie off both pant legs and firmly stuff the pants with whatever material you’ve chosen.

STEP 8

Attach Pants

To attach the pants, use twine to create a pair of suspenders for your scarecrow. We used the belt loops to secure the twine and brought it over the shoulders and secured the suspenders to the rear of the scarecrow.

STEP 9

Add Boots

You’ll want to stuff the legs into a pair of shoes or boots. If they’re old boots you won’t be reusing, drill a drainage hole in the bottom so they won’t fill with water when it rains.

STEP 10

Add the Head

Use an old pillowcase to form the head of the scarecrow. Stuff it with filling and then pull it down over the top of the frame. Tie the neck to the vertical stake and begin forming the shape of the head.