Jul
5
This is my first attempt at gardening. I have constructed a raised plot and now I am wondering how high do I need to fence around my garden in order to protect the plants from animals? Also, do I need to put some protection over the top so as to keep the birds from having access? If so what is the best way to to cover this and still have the ability to walk around in the garden?
Welcome Waterbug1961 to the site and to gardening.
Their are so many possibilities and probable issues that we are all learning as we go.
You may find that as difficult as it may be to actually grow a garden in the desert that it may prove equally as difficult to keep the groceries that your garden produces.
Some gardeners in the Tucson area seem to have more or less difficulty with critters than others, it largely depends on the crop and the activity level and types of critters that are in your area. Even the time of year can change the aggressiveness and intent of the local habitat.
In general your consideration are correct in the need to balance the level and type of protection with the need and ease of access. Your raised containment may afford you protection from the burrowing animals unless they are of the climbing sort too. In such case you will still require full coverage, if your crop is something desirable to them.
Ideas of how to fully enclose include building a lightweight (for manageability) cubed framework from PVC or similar, and cover on top and side with chicken wire. When I’ve used this design (with 100% effectiveness) I employed it to cover lettuce and newly planted seeds. For my usage I was able to build the cage that was only 18 inches tall, since the lettuce doesn’t grow tall. The ground cover dimensions were approximately 5X5. If you are growing plants that grow tall like tomatoes (especially non-determinant ones) you will have to make the cages more tall than wide and I am afraid that this might prove problematic unless you are really serious and invest in a large cage with some sort of access other than lifting i.e. a door.
Once again, being “serious” means deciding that you really are willing to go the extra mile to keep what you grow. Consult your local nursery and neighbors if you have any who garden and see what their experience has been.
I would be glad to help you design an enclosure that would suit your need, just let me know a bit more about your overall intent.
Lamont, I want to thank you for your quick response. You have given me some good info to ponder. While I desire to protect my garden I sure don’t want to construct a large eyesore which will take away from the beauty of the garden. Thanks for your willingness to help in this design. I will do further investigation prior to making any decisions.
Not a problem, I hope that whatever you do that you continue to pursue gardening. Be aware that you may or may not need to take extreme precautions. You may just have to start with something that is known to be less vulnerable/desirable to the critters. Also not that there are determinate and indeterminate tomato types. The determinant will NOT continue to grow beyond a manageable bush-like height. Although size varies you can expect a determinant tomato plant to remain under a few feet high and wide. (See choosing tomato plant types)
Hey Waterbug, you may have other considerations you’ll want to consider as well as protection from critters. If you plan on walking through your garden, you probably will want to make specific paths for this purpose, so you can avoid stepping on the ground you so carefully cultivated. Compaction can be a bigger issue than critters and can actually be more detrimental to producing a harvest. Compacted soil inhibits root growth and water availability, and keeps earthworms and other vital soil fauna from circulating freely. Don’t step on it if you can avoid it. Alls I’m saying is….