If you garden where wind, curious pets, and that one determined corner of landscape fabric always seem to team up against you, this is the kind of simple fix that earns a permanent place in the shed. I’m using empty aluminum soup cans as buried anchors, paired with two basic shed staples, to create a strong hold-down system for row cover, frost cloth, weed barrier, or even lightweight netting over a garden bed.
What I love most about this project is that it turns odds and ends into something genuinely useful. It’s budget-friendly, easy enough for a beginner, and sturdy enough to make a big difference in a busy backyard garden. Around my house, anything that saves me from re-securing fabric before dinner is a win.
Materials
Instructions
1. Wash the soup cans, remove any paper labels, and smooth any sharp bits around the rim with the hammer so they’re safe to handle.
2. Use the nail and hammer to punch two holes across from each other on the side of every can, about 1 inch down from the top edge.
3. Thread one 4-foot piece of paracord through the two side holes in each can and tie the ends together in a strong double knot to make a loop handle.
4. Lay your garden fabric or sheet over the bed and decide where you need anchors; I usually place one at each corner and one centered along each long side for a total of six.
5. Dig a hole at each anchor point about 8 inches deep and wide enough to fit a can flat on its side or slightly angled below soil level.
6. Set one can into each hole, leaving the cord loop sticking straight up above the soil surface, then backfill firmly and press the soil down well so the can is buried securely.
7. Pull the edge of the cover where you want it held, slip a tent stake through the cord loop, and drive the stake into the soil at a slight angle away from the bed to lock that anchor in place.
8. Repeat with the remaining anchors, pulling the cover snug but not overly tight, so rain can drain and the fabric won’t tear in a hard wind.
9. Test the system by tugging gently on the cover edges; if one spot feels loose, tamp the soil again or angle the stake a little farther outward for a stronger grip.
10. When the season changes, pull the stakes, leave the buried cans in place as hidden anchor points, or dig them up and store the full set together for next time.
Variations & Tips
For picky weather: If your yard gets strong gusts, add two extra can anchors along the short sides of the bed so the cover stays evenly tensioned.
For lighter covers: Bird netting and insect mesh need less pull than an old bedsheet or heavy frost cloth, so you can shorten the cord loops to 2 or 3 inches above the soil.
For easy locating: Tie a small piece of bright outdoor ribbon to each loop before burying the cans if you want to spot your anchor points quickly at dusk or during spring cleanup.
For softer ground: In loose raised-bed soil, bury the cans a little deeper and tamp in layers so they resist popping upward when the fabric is pulled tight.
For safer handling: Gloves are worth it here because cut can edges can be sneaky sharp, especially once you start punching holes.
For family gardens: I like this system because there aren’t loose bricks or boards around the bed for kids to trip over, and everything sits low and tidy once installed.
Storage tip: If you dig the anchors up at the end of the season, stack the cans together with the cords tucked inside and keep the stakes bundled with a rubber band in the shed.