Grids

bjkperkins 4/11/2010, 8:04 pm

Last year I used slats from mini blind to form the grid in my new beds. They looked great and I was very happy with them. Now it is spring and when I went back to my beds (they are in a community garden) I found that most of the slats had broken of of the frames, probably due to the weight of snow. Is it usual that the grid has to be replaced every year? Are people finding wooden grids to be more durable or is it more practical to get a grid that sits on the soil and is removable? I'd like to hear from someone with a few years of experience with SFG

choksaw 4/12/2010, 12:37 am

the elements and seasons can do alot of damage on plastics these days mainly because they have re engineered them to break down faster in landfills your best bet would be to remove the grids and take them home for the off season and store them in a dry location this way the elements will not affect them and there is a less liekly chance that others may damage them or steal them

garlix 4/12/2010, 2:47 am

I think a grid made out of wooden slats looks much better and is also more durable. Those thin plastic strips that are used in blinds are a quick cheap solution, but you should not leave them on over the winter. That kind of plastic gets very brittle when exposed to frost and harsh winter weather. And you really don't want any kind of plastic in your garden.

If money is an issue, I have successfully used thin canes cut from hazelnut bushes. Depending on where you live, you might find them for free growing somewhere. Or maybe other straight grown saplings or even bamboo?

**WardinWake** 4/12/2010, 7:15 am

bjkperkins wrote:Last year I used slats from mini blind to form the grid in my new beds.

Bikerkins:

Last year I used blinds and had problems with breakage. They look good and are quite serviceable for one or more seasons if properly taken care of. This year I am using salvaged white nylon webbing that is 1/2 inch wide and so far it is working great. I will know more next year after the sun and cold have had a chance to work on them.

God Bless, Ward

jenjehle 4/12/2010, 8:19 am

We used kite string for our grids. I like the fact that we can remove it at the beginning of the season so it's easier to add compost and "fluff" the dirt. It dries quicker and it's just nice to mix it up a little before I begin the planting season. Hard to do that with permanant grids over the soil. The kite string is cheap, flexible for the plants and easy to work with.

It's just what we like best!

Good luck!
Jenny, NE Indiana

Momma Pajama 4/12/2010, 9:19 am

I have been using wood lathes. They are 4 foot long and I nail them in place along the edge of the beds, but not to each other. To keep them in position, I "weave" the grid a bit - they are flexible. At the end of the planting seasons, it is easy to pull them out and remove the nail from one end, and store in a dry place.

killjug 4/12/2010, 11:28 am

This is my first year but I used chartuse trot line string for my grids. Easy to work with durable and cheap. I have seen this stuff hold up for 2-3 years in the texas heat.

elliephant 4/12/2010, 5:28 pm

I just ended up using yarn. Always have some left from projects. I screwed in short screws to tie it around. Easy enough to fix if something happens to it, but it's been fine for 2.5 months so far. Nice to use something I have cluttering up the house anyway.

boffer 4/12/2010, 5:36 pm

I have grids made of mahogany slats, re-bar, and short plastic baseboard(free). This year I'm trying string for the first time.

bjkperkins 4/18/2010, 9:33 pm

Thanks for all the practical and creative ideas. I am excited to try several of them. You guys are a great community. Grids 109486

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