Newbie questions on Critter Control & Hot Location

Hi there, I’m new here and about to try SFG for the first time. I have the original SFG book, but am more inspired with the new book – maybe I just needed color pictures.

Critters:
I just built two boxes – 2’ x 4’, but want to be sure I’m well protected from the start. For chipmunk prevention, I saw a video where someone tacked landscape fabric and then hardware cloth to the bottoms. Is there an advantage of doing that over just attaching the hardware cloth, and then setting the boxes on a length of landscape fabric? I wanted to do that to block weeds between boxes and thought it might allow better drainage if the fabric isn’t directly attached.

Cages are a must for the deer & raccoons we have around here. I was planning to do chicken wire with bottom frames as shown in ANSFG. Would that be strong enough to keep out raccoons? I’ve seen a persistent little guy trying to open my neighbor’s tethered down garbage can lid.

I am also planning to do a grow bag on the ground with strawberries. This was before I decided to do SFG. I made a bag out of landscape fabric. It wouldn’t have any bottom protection from chipmunks, but I planned to make an 18” x 18” x 21”H cage out of hardware cloth, because it’s heavier. If I put a brick or some other weight on top, would that block too much sun? Is the grow bag idea a disaster waiting to happen?

Hot location:
My sunny space is limited, so I planned to put the boxes between the concrete driveway and the south side of the house. Do you think it will get too hot there, or will the fact that it’s raised help? I’ve grown hardy perennials there for a long time with no problems.

Thanks all! This forum is great! Love the pictures you guys post.

Deb

I'll take your critter cage question--
I have raccoons, deer, fox, bunnies, cats, etc., and yes the critter cages have worked 100% since autumn, 2010. Haven't lost anything to wildlife so far. Your question was coons and I guess the coons see the cage and give up. They don't realize it can be lifted. The first year I hooked little bungee cords from the cage to the bottom of the box for extra protection. Once I found fur around the snapped off bungee, but I think it was from one of my cats. I stopped using the bungees and still haven't had a problem unless the wind goes over 35mph then the cages tend to slide some. Overall I give critter cages an A+ if you are completely serious about protecting your veggies. The idea of lifting them off to tend to the garden turns off some people. To me it's a very small price to pay for guranteed undamaged goods.

I have a strip of ground on the south side of my house. This strip runs east to west and its about 5.5 feet wide and about 22 feet long. My house is on the north side and my driveway is on the south side. This is where I placed my beds and they have done great and it doesn't get too hot.