Finally.
Photo by Jhoan Baluyot-Lucier
We got a respectable garden started!
If we can do it…trust me, YOU can do it.
We found the time to discuss, and discuss, and plan this thing.
Finding the time to construct the semi-bunny-proof body of the garden…well that took more time.
We have several rabbits in our area. They frolic in the backyard every day and night. This is a bad thing if you want to grow tomatoes and cucumbers, and yes, carrots.
In fact, we bought all of the vegetable plants, prepared them for planting, got overwhelmed with ground preparation and laying soil…and we had to leave them out overnight. No problem, as we put them on the picnic table, where rabbits (predictably) can’t get on top of…
Next day, laying more soil, preparing to put up the mini-border fence, and I notice the overturned vegetable seedlings on top of the picnic table.
Photo by Jhoan Baluyot-Lucier
Zucchini, broccoli, and other various treats were pilfered, dug out, and consumed.
On TOP of a picnic table.
I’m thinking maybe squirrels?
Anyway, we went to constructing the little fence, in back of our backyard, which was planned around a DREAM Jhoan had. You see, we weren’t sure HOW to set the wood up to make a good barrier to critters, while still being passable by us. She envisioned a 12-inch high fence, made of two 1X6 boards…which needed to span the 16-foot long and 6-foot wide garden. The idea was slick, and it was implemented with general ease.
The planting was done while I was at work, so Jhoan sent photos to me of the set-up, as if she were sending me images of a new niece or nephew.
Photo by Jhoan Baluyot-Lucier
I worried, like you might with a newborn, about it getting sullied (or eaten by critters, in this case). I wanted to protect those plants.
So, the next morning, I applied the “aluminum foil ground border” along the perimeter of the fence, outside of the garden area. Apparently, creatures don’t like the noise it makes when they step on it. Jhoan’s research says so.
I am not fulfilled with this solution. I will be constructing small domes, made of a ream of screening, normally used in storm doors.
These will be placed over groups of plants, allowing sun, water, and all other grow-friendly factors except pestilence.
I’ll keep you posted.
Jhoan has ALSO posted about this on her blog…which I was not ALLOWED to read until I wrote this post. You…and I…can read it here: EdgeOf49.wordpress.com
Here’s some more images of the wonderful new vegetable patch.
Photo by Jhoan Baluyot-Lucier
Photo by Jhoan Baluyot-Lucier
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
LOOKING GOOD BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!
…. AND SISTER!!!!!!
Tom, I sent this to Jho too…
If you make a spray of garlic, cayenne pepper and olive oil, those critters will take one lick and run for a fire extinguisher…
I use this recipe:
6-8 cloves of fresh garlic, minced fine
2 cayenne chili peppers, or powdered cayanne pepper, ground fine
a few drops of vegetable oil. (this makes it stick to the plant leaves)
I mince all that up, mix it together in 4 cups of BOILING water and let it sit overnight to cool and infuse. Then I strain it twice through two different coffee filters to get all the particles out of the liquid. I then use that very concentrated liquid as a base for a pest spray in a dollar store spray bottle – sometimes diluting it 4 to 1 for aphids, whitefly, etc…. and full strength for friggin’ cats that like to S#%@ in my soil, skunks and squirrels that dig, and other animals too.
WARNING – DO NOT get that in your eyes, or breath it – I learned the hard way, even though it smells like a nice salad dressing, it REALLY stings your eyes and makes it hard to breath if you inhale it!!
Hope that helps with the critters.
scotty