new in S. Cal

Hi,

Im new to any type of gardening. This year I built two 4x4 beds. Bed #1 has tomatoes, okra, jalapenos, habanero, basil, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and cucmbers (had spinach but we will get to that) second box has corn, squash, snap peas, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, and cantaloupe. Everything is doing great except birds have discovered my garden, they seem to pick at my leaves. They have pulled out all the spinish babies and now are pulling the leaves from the jalapeno and habanero. I am not sure what to do as of yet.

I have to say I am having so much fun "working" on my garden. Well not much work but going out and looking at my veggies grow. I'm lucky to live in a no frost zone so I planted my garden about a month ago. One negative though is I might have waited to long since I have to grow before the summer weather hits, it gets up to the 120's. I will be starting my 3rd 4x4 box today, this gardening stuff is addicting I will post pics soon (how do I do that LOL)

Hi, I'm Debs and I am an addict.

Big hug to you and your pup!
Is there any chance you can move your cucumbers? Mine ALWAYS wilt away when they are too close to peppers.

There are a few ways that I have dealt with birds in my garden.

The easiest way has been to put feeders on the other side of the yard for them. There are a few very clever tweeters who just want to play (in the PNW it is the Stellar Jay). They have pulled up whole rows of peas in the spring (I am new to SFG but not growing things). I found that if I hung a net bag from a tripod (later I used the same tripod for pole beans) filled with peanuts, the Jays would spend their time either trying to get the peanuts out (CAUTION make sure the net is too small for them to get their head into !!!) OR they stood around watching their mates get peanuts out. Chick wire tunnels or cages work too. Lately I am fascinated with a spray system meant to keep raccoons and deer away but it is pricy.

Deborah ....waiting to read more about how your garden grows.