Not sure I like the grid

retired member 2 4/13/2011, 5:14 pm

I got my grids on today and I am not sure I like them. They take up too much space in each square. I put it on two fo them. Guess what I used to hold the grid together at the intersections? Velcro ties. I already had that and thought I would give it a try. On the other bed witih a grid I just left them loose at the intersections. The 3rd bed, I screwed in eyelets and used string. It's not as pretty, but I get the full use of each square.

Also, I took a chance and planted a couple of tomatoes and peppers. We are about a week and a half from frost date, but the 10 forecast doesn't predict any low 30's. I can always re-plant if I have to.

dizzygardener 4/13/2011, 5:19 pm

Lots of folks feel the same way, but they actually don't take up that much space. The space they use is space you wouldn't plant in anyhow if you are using SFG spacing as laid out in the All New SFG book.

I'm using string as well. I'm already seeing the flaws in that system, but I'm trying to get creative with one of my beds, so I need to have a more fluid grid.

**camprn** 4/13/2011, 5:33 pm

I had similar reservations about wooden grid material. I have converted to string for a grid. Congrats on the clever grid tying solution!

sherryeo 4/13/2011, 9:28 pm

I think you get used to the grid after a little bit. When I first put mine in, I, too, thought it looked like it took up too much space, but like dizzy says, it's really space you don't actually use. I prefer the look of the wood lath grid to the look of string. But I can see how it can add up to buy the lath for a number of boxes, so I might have to consider using the string when I do more boxes later.

staf74 4/13/2011, 10:16 pm

Try looking in your local home improvement store and go into the wood trim section. I purchased their thinnest but very nicely finished round edged wood trim on sale. Two 12' sections cut perfectly into thirds for one bed. I really like it and cost me about $20 for all four beds. A splurge perhaps for a job that string can easily do but it really finishes the whole bed and kinda pulls it together nicely.

Just a thought Smile

Dunkinjean 4/13/2011, 10:44 pm

I have wood grids bought from Mel's website for 2 of my 4 x 4 boxes (they were bought and made of hard plastic/resin this past fall - not sure how long they will last but were very cheap).

Our 1st 4 x 4 wood box has a twine grid with nails.

We made a 4 x 4 wood box for our son in NY and used twine and thumbtacks that worked well and were cheap!

Basically do whatever works for you and enjoy gardening. Very Happy

Dunkinjean

jbh29 4/13/2011, 11:01 pm

This is only my second year SFG-ing so, for what's that's worth, I use string. Mostly because we had a large roll on hand and I would have been too impatient last year to wait to drive to a lumber store (1 hour away). But the string worked well for us, but I have nothing to compare it too. So, I think i'll use string forever.

middlemamma 4/13/2011, 11:05 pm

I used the wood lathe my first year and this year I am converting to string. I really love the string...it's cheap, easily replaced if there is a problem, dandelions that blow into my beds can't hide under them, and when clutzy me is digging in there I don't get splinters in the back of my hand. flower

nancy 4/14/2011, 10:11 am

I use yarn tied into eye screws. Last year I used hot green Lily 'n Cream yarn. This year I switched to red. I really like it and by using cotton yarn from my knitting stash, it is free and easily replaceable.

florenceq 4/14/2011, 3:11 pm

On my first box (4x8) built out of lumber (2x8) we used wood lathe and I tied the cross joints with yarn. The only problem I have had is the wood lathe splits easily when I used nails to attach it the box.

My next two boxes (4x4) are the Lifetime plastic boxes sold at Costco. When I asked the company what they recommedned they said it would not be a good idea to screw holes in the plastic sides and to just lay wood lathe grid on the soil. I wasn't thrilled with this idea so I used yarn and duct tape! I figure if I have to replace, it will be cheap.

staf74 4/14/2011, 3:17 pm

The only problem I have had is the wood lathe splits easily when I used nails to attach it the box.

Did you pre-drill the holes? This should stop that issue. My wood is only half inch wide but a pre-drilled hole has never resulted in a split.

shannon1 4/14/2011, 11:42 pm

I am using the old school string grid. Nylon kite string has worked great for me in the past it stays tight and white and doesn't rot. Smile

tkdtara84 4/14/2011, 11:52 pm

I just put mine on today, and after reading these, I changed my plan. I was going to use nylon stripping (like what they use to hold plumbing pipes up), but I decided to go with the screweyes and string. I plan to cut the string in the fall or spring so I can rake in new compost or MM if mine settles over the winter. String is so cheap and easy to attach that I can just add new each year. Also, it isn't as rigid as lath, so it doesn't get in my way when planting (or harvesting, which might be more cumbersome than planting).

Overall, I'm very happy with it. I like the look of the lath, but once things start growing, it won't be very visible anyhow.

tkdtara84 4/15/2011, 12:08 am

An added benefit of the twine...it freaks my cat out enough that she has decided the garden is NOT a fancy new litterbox!

shannon1 4/15/2011, 12:10 am

westie42 4/15/2011, 12:28 am

tkdtara84 I like hearing that it deters cats. If it also helps psych out other creatures like squirrels then that would be double great. Speaking of pests several from the south mention voles and that is a new name to me. what are voles ?

tkdtara84 4/15/2011, 1:26 am

I think it scares her because it bends when stepped on. I think lath would be solid enough not to scare her, but she's no tight rope walker, so ever since I put it on, she has stayed off.

Voles are little burrowers, smaller than moles, I think. I haven't seen them, either. We mainly have mole problems in our area. However, I think they cause about the same kind of destruction.

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