Newbie Gardener

Hello

My name is Fred and live in Garland, Texas. I am retired and in my early 70's and decided I needed something to keep me busy. I decided to do a little gardening and a friend told me about SFG. My back has been fused and I have a hard time bending so I decided to build a raised garden so that I would not have to bend over.

Actually, I built 2 and plan to build more. I checked out the original SFG book from the local library and then bought the newest version of the book. I am looking forward to this group and am sure I will have many questions.

If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will do so. I do have one question. Does anyone have any recommendations for keeping a cat out of the garden. I may have to resort to building wire cages but would like to avoid that if possible.

Fred G.

Fred. Boffer is our resident TTSFG (Table Top Square Foot Garden) aficionado. He should sound in soon with some helpful tips for you.

As for cats, I've heard planting catnip in another part of your yard will keep them occupied elsewhere. I don't have a probem with them so that's all I have to offer.

Last year I had good success using string for my SFG grid, the cat's evidently didn't have enough room to "go". I have also used cheap plastic forks, tines up, stuck in the soil.

Good luck & so glad to have you join us.

dixie wrote: I have also used cheap plastic forks, tines up, stuck in the soil.

we recently just put a bunch of skewer(sp?) sticks in our carrot area because our cat likes to go and lay on them and smash them. So far its worked and they were only 1$ for 100. We had bought them to help support little tomato transplants.

I hear the catnip works as well. I might have to try that

I don't have any tricks about cats so I'll leave that to the experts.

I just wanted to welcome you to the boards. Starting late in life in gardening won't be a problem.

I began my first SFG 3 springs ago at the age of 67 with back problems as well. I love that its so easy and you save on water by pouring out for each plant as needed. It can get a little busy when the season warms up and you have to get all the warm-season things in at about the same time, but just plant it day to day a little at a time and all will be well.

I used to say I'm a quilter first and a gardener second, but that was when I was into flowers. Now I can't wait to start seeds in the spring and lay the fabric aside during the growing seasons.

If you have questions, you'll find the answers here. Many experienced SFG'rs here on the forum that can lead you in the right direction.

If you make a mistake, its minimal with just a block here and a block there to handle. Besides, we all learn from our mistakes.

Thanks to all for the welcomes. I was searching the internet for answers to the problem of cats using the garden as a latrine. I learned about a water sprinkler with a motion detector built in that works night or day. The forums I was reading said that they cost around $100. The name of the sprinkler is the Scarecrow,

I located them at Amazon for $39 each and ordered one. All of the reviews were very positive.

Fred G.

WOW, $39 sure beats $100, I've seen those and wanted one, but for the hubby, not the local animals!!!! Of course that means I would have to watch for retaliation.

But hubby watering the compost is a good thing!

Hi Fred, welcome to the forum and to SFG!

I was the one who posted about the catnip. I didn't plant it intending it to be a cat deterrent, I was trying to companion plant... but it seemed to work out quite well. I had the catnip in two pots I kept adjacent to one of my beds.... and kept waking to find the pots knocked over. The neighborhood cats seem to be rather fond of our yard, but minimal digging if any. I hope it works for you, too. Just look out for the catnip, as it IS a mint and can naturalize on you (e.g. spread EVERYWHERE.) That's why I kept it in pots... but it can air-seed, too.

boffer wrote:But hubby watering the compost is a good thing!

HAAHAHA!!! If I'm full of it it's only because I've had to be to put up with him.