Pest Control and Trellis dilemma

Bella232 2/8/2012, 7:24 am

I am building my first sfg beds, and am trying to figure out how to protect my plants against every hungry animal in the neighborhood, while simultaneously building a trellis for supporting heavy/vine plants.

I was going to build a cage to set atop the beds, but then how would the trellis work, unless the plants grew through the cage (which I'm thinking would not be good).

Do I have to resort to a big fence around the whole thing? $$$

All ideas are welcomed!

Mikesgardn 2/8/2012, 1:18 pm

It's difficult to protect a vertical garden easily, or cheaply. I've tried draping plastic mesh over the trellis, but that makes it difficult to access the plants. But it's doable. I've resorted to using large pvc hoops covered with plastic chicken wire.

Pest Control and Trellis dilemma 2010-210

Bella232 2/9/2012, 7:09 am

That looks awesome, and expensive! So the chicken wire acts as the trellis? How do you then access the other plants? Is there a door?

Mikesgardn 2/9/2012, 8:20 am

I don't use the chicken wire as the trellis. I use the conduit and nylon netting like the books shows. The trellis wasn't installed when the picture was taken.

**gwennifer** 2/9/2012, 11:27 am

I love it Mikesgardn. I hope upon hope you'll be able to show us a new picture when you've got the trellis installed and your garden planted this spring. I want to see that setup in action! And do tell how you access the garden?

And Bella, this was a great question, I'm surprised there haven't been more responses. There's another active thread right now that this exact subject was broached in - you can read llama mommas solution and see a pic on page 2:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t9706p15-new-garden-construction-planning

Hope that helps! Welcome to the SFG method and I wish you much success! Hope you post pictures of your progress!

**llama momma** 2/9/2012, 11:45 am

Oops I missed that one.
Bella if I can help at all please let me know. Very Happy

Bella232 2/9/2012, 4:04 pm

Thanks, Mama! Your trellis idea is good: I will just use it for one of the boxes. The other idea I've heard is build your "wagon cover" very tall -- that would work too! I only have tomatoes and peas to worry about, so one should be fine.

I built my compost bin today using some posts lying around the yard, plastic netting, zip ties and caribiners for the door. It looks sad, but it already has leaves and frozen chicken poop from the old barn in it. I covered it with an old moving blanket, and look forward to "stocking" it from the kitchen tomorrow.

I also had the girls paint the boxes: must be pretty!

**llama momma** 2/9/2012, 4:21 pm

Sounds like you are all having fun Very Happy

Take pictures if possible. You hear that a lot on this forum.. it is really nice to have a photo journey of your experience. And especially nice to look at your garden again during the winter through pictures.

Bella232 2/9/2012, 5:15 pm

cannot figure out how to post pictures!

**camprn** 2/9/2012, 10:04 pm

@Bella232 wrote:cannot figure out how to post pictures!

There are instructions and tips about posting photos Here scroll down to find the thread. What a Face

Let us know if you still have trouble after reading the thread. What a Face

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Pest Control and Trellis dilemma

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