Apr 16th, 2017: Food Forest

[Snakeadelic]

Critter-proofing a garden like that would be BRUTAL. The only successful "deer-proof" fence plan I've ever encountered requires that the top of the fence be 8 feet above ground, and that the fence itself be tilted outward from its base at about 30 degrees short of vertical. That seems to be the only fence deer won't try to jump, because sure they can make the 8 foot jump up, but they can't tell if they can clear the tilted interior.

For rabbits and ground squirrels and skunks and the like, you'll need to dig out about 2 feet of soil and make a box inside that hole. Said box needs to be heavy-duty plastic-coated wire and has to cover the entire bottom and all 4 sides, plus sticking up at least a foot above ground at the base of the fence. Then you fill it back up with dirt to actually grow the garden. Leave off the low fencing or use uncoated wire and rabbits, ground squirrels, and similarly-sized garden destroyers can and will chew right through. The mesh should be under 1 inch to keep moles and rats out, because anywhere a rat can stick its head, its whole body follows. As for mice, your best bet is don't kill any snakes in your yard--many of the venomous AND non-venomous species in the US live on rats & mice. Heck, corn snakes are rumored to have gotten their name hanging around in corncribs and silos to eat the mice and rats that invariably swarm such places.

If I ever win the lottery, tho, I'm having a massive glassed-over "courtyard" garden and I'll be referring back to this plan!

[xoxoxoBruce]

Perimeter, anything that moves or gives off heat, even in the dark.

[blueboy56]

No problem, just get one of them there super accurate crossbows and put a bolt (smeared with super glue) into the barrel. Instant jam and up blows the barrel. So there.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Do the deer around you carry superglue?

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Snakeadelic

Critter-proofing a garden like that would be BRUTAL.

Benny brought me a woodchuck last night. Get a collie with a little spare time and the rodent population will drop.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Griff

Benny brought me a woodchuck last night. Get a collie with a little spare time and the rodent population will drop.

A woodchuck is a long way from a gimme. They can be, and usually are, vicious little fuckers.

A childhood friend's dad had a blue heeler mutt that knew how to dispatch groundhogs with a vengeance. His summer record was 62 or 64 groundhogs brought to the front door of the barn. Graveyard dead.

Dog's name was Judas.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by BigV

Wait a minute. . .

A border collie's spare time comes straight out of MY spare time. Who benefits?

If he has a farm to roam he's a lot less maintenance. Killing varmits is a known approved activity so he'll spend all day patrolling. My dude is not a purebred and while a busy fella he isn't out of his mind like some.

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

A woodchuck is a long way from a gimme. They can be, and usually are, vicious little fuckers.

A childhood friend's dad had a blue heeler mutt that knew how to dispatch groundhogs with a vengeance. His summer record was 62 or 64 groundhogs brought to the front door of the barn. Graveyard dead.

Dog's name was Judas.

That is a hella run on woodchucks, but heelers are built for that shit.
Chucks are tough. I remember my childhood dog getting in a real blood bath with a big one. Benny figured out how to handle them after getting cut up on his first chuck.