Put a Fence Around Raised Beds

Spring is here! Of course, that means planting flowers and vegetables in my raised beds. 

Last year our dog, Daisy, kept the chipmunk population from eating 

everything in the garden. Sadly, we lost her in January. I planned to move the strawberries from the side yard to the center raised bed in the backyard. Knowing how much the little critters love to take tiny bites out of the ripe fruit, I knew there needed to be some kind of deterrence. Hence, the need for a fence.

I browsed around the fencing department at the local Lowe's home improvement store and decided on this simple but effective (so far) solution.

  Half inch PVC pipe, nylon ties, poultry fencing and rebar (not pictured)

This is the kind of PVC I used.

I hammered the rebar next to the corners and in between

the end of the two beds.

I measured and cut the PVC with a pair of PVC cutters, 

then put it over the rebar, driving it into the ground just a little 

for added stability.

 I used the nylon ties to attach the poultry netting to the PVC. For access, I added a gate by attaching the netting to a length of PVC and looping a nylon tie over one of the corner fixed posts. The netting is flexible enough for me lean over and pull weeds, etc but if I need to get to the inner section the gate lays back. 

It won't keep out a determined dog, but so far the chipmunks and squirrels have left it alone. Anyway, I planted some strawberries just for them on the outside of the fence right outside the entrance to their burrows. 

It took me about an hour to put it up by myself and cost about $25. The most expensive item was the poultry netting which cost about $18. At the end of the season, I can take the PVC off the rebar, roll it up and store it in the shed. As for the rebar, I can pull it up and store it also, or leave it in the ground, ready for next Spring.

More Spring Fever

 

Nothing says Spring like daffodils. Our neighborhood is also home to countless Bradford Pear trees. This morning when I left to drive the bus they were practically unnoticed. When I went back this afternoon it looked like a popcorn machine had run amok down the street.

 

Somehow, I never really got into Spring when the kids were here. That time of year, we'd be gearing up for baseball season or thinking about what to do for summer vacation. It was a good time of the year, though it was always busy. 

Occasionally, I could get The Girl to plant bulbs with me, and she did help  plant some Shasta Daisies in a perennial bed the year after her paternal grandmother died. Shasta Daisies were her favorite flowers and I have to admit they are right up there on the top of my list, too. Those daisies are still growing right where we planted them. I don't know if my daughter remembers helping me or not, or if it was just another chore I asked her to do. Sigh.

Another garden project for the near future, like this weekend, is to plant some potatoes. Last year, I got two potato grow bags from Gardeners Supply, (http://www.gardeners.com/ Look on the vegetable gardening page) and just used some russet potatoes from the grocery store. This year I didn't make that mistake and bought some seed potatoes from Lowe's nursery. Today I learned not to plant them until Good Friday. Hmmm, I wonder if they'll keep that long. I may just have to put them in and hope for the best. 

Yes, those are purple potatoes.

Of course, The Music Man has decided to go on the Atkins Diet and won't eat potatoes.

Wait For It...

But I just can’t! We’ve had Spring-like temperatures for the last week or two. My practical, conscious mind tells me, “Yes, but we always have cold weather in March and usually April.” However, my subconscious mind says, “Plant, plant, plant.” So, I made a compromise and decided to start a few seeds indoors. 

Can I hold it to three? Nah.

 All the packets say to start six weeks before the last frost. That puts it about the middle of April. That should give me enough time to get The Music Man to build a raised bed, or three. He made some square ones in the side yard for me a couple of years ago.

 Of course, Daisy had to supervise.

I'm going to be even more ambitious this year and put two 3x6 beds and one 2x6 bed in the middle of the back yard where it gets full sun. For me, gardening is a learn as you go type activity. I don't have a wise old grandmother to ask anymore and I don't have time to take classes. All I can do is read, then get my hands dirty. 

 Chives, Spinach, Mesclun, Iceberg and 

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce and Onions. 

It feels like a good start to me!