New Grids

sanderson wrote:Here's a more simple design to start with.

That looks so nice... functional also

Sorry this is not on-topic. What I did with my neighbor's roots was chop it off almost at the point where it came on to my property. I was then able to dig out in sections the parts that were causing me problems. But there may be a difference in the type you have and what I had. Mine were thick like branches and not like fine hairs. Depending on the type of tree, once the root is cut away from the tree, the roots left will die because they are not connected to the tree.

I used twine one year because that was all I had. I did like it, but it was not meant to be outside and didn't last past the first year. If I were to use that again, I would like an easy way to remove or move it like Plantoid has done. Last year I used mini blind slats on one of my beds but they were not connected where they crossed. I like the idea of gluing or screwing them together. I haven't decided what I will do this time.

When I read this part in the book, I quickly realized a couple of things:

1. I have not seen real lath at a lumber yard in over 20 years,
   
2. It doesn't matter.
   

It doesn't matter IF you know a woodworker (or are one).  The easiest thing to do is buy a reasonably clear spruce/pine/fir 2x4 and rip 1/8"-3/16" strips off of it on a table saw, screw it together like in the book, and either paint it white (exterior latex is pretty inert) or coat it with spar varnish to keep it white. (Use the kind with UV inhibitors, or live with it yellowing). You should get seven 1/8" strips out of a 2x4; six 3/16" strips. (You will loose half of the 2x4 to sawdust, but SPF sawdust decays very quickly in the compost pile). Watch your fingers. I'll be doing this in a few weeks (when the ground thaws).

AtlantaMarie wrote:

Dara wrote:I'm wondering if slats from mini blinds would work?? If you could find 4' ones...?

Yes, they would.  I know I've seen SOMEONE on here using them...  Now, who was it...

I use them.  But mine are 3 footers and aren't stuck together, but they give me the guideline I need. 


They come in for the winter. I love free stuff!!  they are also used as my plant markers now.
Also note the hoola hoops.  Those lasted about 2+ yrs.

CC

Mini blinds is a second alternative for putting a grid together....

yolos wrote:I use cord/string that is strung thru those eye screws.

I am going to give your method a try this year and have already installed the eye screw but put them on top.  I looked at different color string but went with the white as you get more for you dollar.

If you don't keep picking it up and putting it down, screen molding works well. Mine's on it's 5th season and doing well. But if you keep moving it, it will snap.

I've begun selling grids made from the white PVC boards that is used for to face decks. It's 8" x 1/2" and hubby & I rip it into 3/4" strips. It cuts really easily and wears like iron. LOL I don't have it my own bed because the screen molding still looks good.

floyd1440 wrote:

yolos wrote:I use cord/string that is strung thru those eye screws.

I am going to give your method a try this year and have already installed the eye screw but put them on top.  I looked at different color string but went with the white as you get more for you dollar.

Floyd, the reason I do not put the screw eyes on the top of the bed boards is because I sometimes cover certain beds with tulle or row cover.  I lay 2" x 2" boards over the tulle on the sides of the bed to keep the tulle secured.  The screw eyes on the top of the bed would get in the way.  It is easy to just pick up a board and raise the tulle instead of unclipping the clips.  I do use the clips on the ends but not on the long sides.


But this may only work in my situation because on the inside of the bed, I have the 1 inch pvc (used for inserting the 1/2 inch pvc ribs) sticking up above the edge of the bed.  These keep the 2" x 2" boards from falling down into the bed if there is heavy wind.

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:Mine deteriorated to the point of being pulled out so I'll read along with interest! 

I would say if you use a twine to find something that will last longer than a season or two like mine did.  Any recommendations for durable twine?  I was thinking perhaps a wire instead.  I like the thinness of this kind of divider better than wood.

Be careful if you're using wire - if you fall over, you'll be cut into perfect 12 inch pieces!

FamilyGardening wrote:we have used string, wood & green wire

this year we are going to use carrots, onions and radishes for a live grid

happy gardening
rose

Wonderful!

Clothes line?

Clothes line
Plastic/vinyl nylon cord inside, durable, clean, flexible, reusable, inexpensive, applicable,
I have no negative thoughts about it.

The problem I had with plastic/vinyl coated clothesline is the sun will heat the vinyl causing it to sag, leaving sloppy shaped squares.  Jimmy has the right idea to weigh it down.  I originally used decorative brass tacks and nailed the vinyl ends into the wood.  I'm moving away from that and replacing with mini blinds which I like much better. Punch in a few eye hooks where the pieces intersect.  It adds enough weight to stay put on windy days and nicely holds the squares together.

llama momma wrote:The problem I had with plastic/vinyl coated clothesline is the sun will heat the vinyl causing it to sag, leaving sloppy shaped squares.  Jimmy has the right idea to weigh it down.  I originally used decorative brass tacks and nailed the vinyl ends into the wood.  I'm moving away from that and replacing with mini blinds which I like much better. Punch in a few eye hooks where the pieces intersect.  It adds enough weight to stay put on windy days and nicely holds the squares together.

Can we get a photo of the finished product please? Being an Undomestic Goddess, I have no idea what an eye hook is.

CC

sfg4uKim wrote:If you don't keep picking it up and putting it down, screen molding works well. Mine's on it's 5th season and doing well. But if you keep moving it, it will snap.

Wait a minute, what??? You mean that gray rubber strip? Or the aluminum frame? Do you have a photo?

CC

Think wood screen door.  Screen moulding is what held the screen in-place and taut.   It used to be very common and cheap.  Not so much anymore, as wood screen doors have become less popular.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kelleher-1-4-in-x-3-4-in-Pine-Flat-Screen-Moulding-P340/202071687

That's what I have! Some are 25 months old and besides some grey weathering, are still in great condition. Husband screwed the intersections together with 3/4" machine screws, pre-drilling first. They are easy to remove for clean up and major amending, and fold up if they ever needed storage. None are longer than 4.'

Cape Coddess said:
Can we get a photo of the finished product please? Being an Undomestic Goddess, I have no idea what an eye hook is.


CC -- would you believe I went outside to take a picture Just for you and my phone ran out of space to take more pictures.  When I transfer pics to the laptop then I'll have room and will take a picture of the grid with eye hooks.  Maybe eye screws is a better description. Anyway, my very last picture was taken of new asparagus which will be on another thread in just a bit.

Thank you all for sharing your experience and great ideas.  I know Mel says "No string" but I like clothes line.  My dilemma was sagging.  The brick weight is a great idea.  If your boxes are not tall enough for a full brick, break it and use a 1/2 brick. 

Think "outside the box".  If you look around you probably have other things that can be used as weights. 

G is somewhat of a hoarder.  I was scrounging through his shop and found HUGE lead fishing weights designed for deep, saltwater fishing.  He does not do that kind of fishing.    They are mine!

I am not a fan of most of these grids in the garden.  What I have done is scored the wood edges of my raised beds in one foot increments.  I lay some bamboo across when I need a grid, or eye ball it.  There is no visible lines drawn to detract from the plants.  One of the joys of SFG is there can be a more non obvious but still very effective form of organization than a row has.  The aesthetics is something Mel and I disagree with.  

I used to plant garlic or green onions at line intersections.  THat worked for a lot of things.  I am not sure carrots would grow fast enough for me.  It got hard remembering to harvest all the garlic scattered across a bed full of leafy green things.  And hard to let them dry out before pulling.  Green onions did best but are used before too long.

I am hoping Rose will post pictures of her living grid for us, I am sure it will get most beautiful award.

CC
here is the grid pic I said I'd get for you.  You see the eye screw?  It's on the bottom horizontal grid near the center of the photo.   The mini blinds are soft enough material that I can manually push the screw right through it even if my hammer isn't nearby.

I see it!

back in the day, didn't we have something that look like a thumb tack on the top and had 2 flat metal legs coming out of it that you could stick thru a hole and then spread apart on the other side of papers or something? those would work. What were they called?

CapeCoddess wrote:I see it!  

back in the day, didn't we have something that look like a thumb tack on the top and had 2 flat metal legs coming out of it that you could stick thru a hole and then spread apart on the other side of papers or something? those would work. What were they called?

Paper binding brads?

That's exactly it, camp! Man, you are good! Do they still make them? if so I could probably get them at an office supply store. And maybe use a paper hole punch to put the holes through the blinds. Wonder how the clasps would hold up to the weather...

CapeCoddess wrote:That's exactly it, camp! Man, you are good! Do they still make them? if so I could probably get them at an office supply store. And maybe use a paper hole punch to put the holes through the blinds. Wonder how the clasps would hold up to the weather...

Yes, I get them at the office supply store. They come in a variety of lengths. Not terribly expensive.