Re: Vertical Frame Construction Question

southern gardener 8/14/2012, 6:16 pm

Nonna.PapaVino wrote:A word of clarification: cattle panels and hog panels are somewhat different. Hog panels have more narrow openings, which makes them useful for climbing flowers, peas and cucumbers, where the fruits aren't too large to pull back through the openings. But cattle panels have wider openings, so it's easier to reach through to harvest large tomatoes, smaller melons, etc. Something to consider. One of our cattle panel arches has thrilled our potimarron winter squash, which immediately raced to the top of the arch and formed two lovely squashes, which now dangle just over my head when I walk through the arch. As of today, it has grown completely over the arch, and is currently wandering along the top of the deer/elk fence. The acorn squash, Thelma Sanders, took the lower road, across the walkway, then up the elk/deer fence and is testing the far side of the arch. Didn't know squash had personalities. Nonna

Nonna....can you post a pic of your arch? We are in the midst of building one, and would LOVE to see one in use!! bounce

floyd1440 8/14/2012, 8:24 pm

To All

I like the cattle panels but have a few simple questions. The picture posted before shows the panel bent allowing and arc, which would extend the growth of certain vegetables, but what can you grow under it as it would become shaded?

Nonna.PapaVino 8/14/2012, 8:37 pm

floyd, our cattle panels are arched over the walkways (a) between North and South beds and (b) over the walkway between an early version of Square Foot Gardening long bed and the new 6-foot deer/elk fence on the west side of the fenced garden area. This way, the cattle panels and what's growing on them shades nothing but the walkways--which makes it enjoyable to stand in the shade to tend plants on both sides, and pick beans/peas from vines above me.

Southerngardner: I'd love to post pictures, but either my computer program is defective, or I'm getting computer stupid in my old age, but my efforts have failed. Just frustrating and irritating. May try again to get something on AFTER watering, weeding, harvesting, canning, removing spent plants and replanting, moving the new fir and alder chips into the garden for walkways, etc. Yes, I'll try again. Nonna

yolos 8/14/2012, 9:07 pm

Floyd et al,
Here are a hundred different ways to use a cattle panel. Check it out.

http://www.google.com/search?q=cattle+panels+trellis&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Q_UqULq5O4OI8QSsiYDoCw&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=1920&bih=1006

Each one of the imges in the above link can be enlarged to see more clearly what everyone is doing with the cattle panels.

floyd1440 8/17/2012, 8:53 pm

yolos wrote:Floyd et al,
Here are a hundred different ways to use a cattle panel. Check it out.

http://www.google.com/search?q=cattle+panels+trellis&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Q_UqULq5O4OI8QSsiYDoCw&ved=0CE8QsAQ&biw=1920&bih=1006

Each one of the imges in the above link can be enlarged to see more clearly what everyone is doing with the cattle panels.

Sorry I have been away and have not responded to you post; it is quite amazing how many ways to use cattle panels. I think I will have to go to Tractor Supply and see them first hand then attempted to see how I can use them in my garden.

One thing I have noticed is as the season has progressed the nylon netting has suppported my tomatoes quite well but do wonder about heavier crops. As in mel's book I put my trellis at the back and think it would be better in the middle of the square if I continue a higher vertical trellis but do like the arc method as well, but do not know if I can adopt this to my garden.

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