Mountain Gardening

Hello, I am starting my 1st mountain garden (veggies mostly). I will be constructing a cage that's completely enclosed (even underground) to keep out all the pests. I was wondering whet type of luck people have had with these and would love any general advice. Thanks!

Several years ago I saw one of these over in GVL. I always thought it would be a good idea up here but haven't built one. It looked like it was made with 2x4s and chicken wire and tall enough to for a person to stand inside. Good luck---Let us know how it works out for you.

are you going to grow tomatoes ?

I grow KILLER TOMATOES.

How do you grow tomatoes...mine turn yellow (the stem and leaves) and get root rot. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone know how to keep birds from munching on my strawberries?

Too much water on the tomatoes?

I just let the birds have my strawberries. You can cover them with netting.

I have always wanted a caged type garden to keep out the critters. Unfortunately, I don't have the space on my property that gets enough sun.

I am growing veggies in containers on my deck because that where I get good sun. I am using small plastic green houses to keep the critters out and so far it's working out. I just started 10 days ago.

Here is a link to my photos of the green houses and my veggies I am "attempting" to grow.

http://www.imperialstorm.com/phpBB2lotr/viewtopic.php?t=353

That's impressive, LH.

I had a running battle with the squirrels for years digging in my pots chewing plants, then someone said to me "they're just hungry feed them"..so I put up a sunflower feeder just for them and the birds and now they leave most of my stuff alone. the birds will peck at my berries sometimes but I eat them pecked or not. Just plant a few extra for the critters. cuz its a loosing battle.

I'll try to get pictures of my garden tomorrow. It's all caged it. Well, fenced at least. I don't have problems with critters getting inside. Just playing in the pots around, but that hasn't happened in two months or so. However, I think there was only one culprit, may he rest in peace. *erm*

The "they're just hungry... so feed them" makes alot of sense. We always fed the squirrels and birds. We still do, but away from the plants.

I also have planter containers with flowers and ferns on the deck. The critters would dig through the soil. The nursery advised us to put this soil topper made out of coconut shells on top of the soil around the plants. It actually works.

I also used the coconut shells on top of the soil and arround the strawberry plants. It's keeping the strawberries from touching the damp soil and rotting. It's a good way to keep the berries semi clean. So far, it seems to be working.

Khori, I am looking foward to seeing the pics of your caged garden. I am also curious how artichokegirls caged garden is coming along.

I am not sure how long these plastic green houses with last. When I have time... maybe next season I can build a caged garden for my deck using 2x4s and chicken wire. Maybe even paint or stain it, so it looks nice next to the deck furniture.
I have 2 large dog cages. They might work also. I might try and put the larger vegetable plants that require alot of sun in them. I am just watching the critters before I do.

LOL... I have to show you my instant caged garden/green house I made in less than 10 mins

http://a243.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/124/l_b1498...

Last year I purchased a pop-up greenhouse from Home Depot Online. It was $99 at the time and worked great! I put a floor of metal sreening to keep out the voles and I used it all year. I had a great early jump on my tomatoes, I got the strawberries before the critters did and had a real nice crop of zuchini.

I highly recommend it if it is still available. My vege and fruit garden this year is down the hill.

Best of luck!

I just made a caged garden (two actually) over a week ago. Gopher wire on the bottom, filled in some dirt, then pounded in stakes and stapled plastic chicken netting from Lowes( its green and thick) all around it and tied the bottom of the plastic netting to the gopher wire sticking up around the edges so that nothing can penetrate it. So far so good. No gopher holes, no ground squirrels.