Conduit Trellis AND Pest Barriers

Hello SFGers,

I am new to the forum, new to SFG, and new to gardening as a whole. But I am in full force! I've placed my beds, lined them with hardware cloth and weed blocker (per forum's I've read about moles and voles). I've mixed half of my MM and have filled four of my eight 4'x2' beds. I have all kinds of baby plants inside growing to high heaven and just dying to get outside.

Only thing is... I'm lost when it comes time to using both the trellis and pest cages at the same time. I have most of the cage materials (zip ties, wire mesh, wood pieces) but I'm still not sure they are the best idea. I know I will be trellising, most likely the way taught in the ANSFG book. I just don't understand how I'm going to use the cages once my plants start taking to the trellises. :scratch: I live in the country. I've seen ground hogs, bunnies, deer, etc. I know I am going to have a problem if I do not properly protect my garden investment.

Being totally new to gardening I don't really have any ideas to bring to the table. I've spent a ton so far getting my beds, MM, lining, plants, etc. I can't afford much more of an investment, so I'm really not sure what would be best. I could possibly use the wire mesh as a fence, but it won't be very tall.

So what has worked for you? Have you tried to trellis AND cover? How did you manage it? Thanks so much, in advance!

Hi moldeen and to the forum!

Here's a thread where someone asked the same question: https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t10175-pest-control-and-trellis-dilemma#98523

There weren't many replies, but in there you'll see I linked to another thread where a user named llama momma's posted her solution. Hope that helps!

Thanks Gwen! I think I'll just have to do it and go from there. I'm sort of squash obsessed, so at this point I'm imagining all eight of my boxes over run by trellising zuchinnis. If I'm lucky!!