While I do love to have a veggie garden each year(since it makes me exercise and gets me outside on a regular basis besides gives us fresh vegetables)I have come to the conclusion that gardening here is just not working any longer.
By not working, I mean that we have critters(critters=rabbits, raccoon, chipmunks, squirrels, deer and an occasional bear)living in the yard and nearby now that we can't keep from getting at the veggies before they are ready to be picked and consumed by the humans growing them. We have had to replace seedlings multiple times in a season and then if the weather doesn't spoil our harvest the nibbling critters make swift work of the goodies before things are ready to be picked.
It wouldn't be so bad if I had the room to plant larger amounts to allow for a percentage to be eaten by the local wildlife, but I don't have that kind of space.
I guess our dogs use to keep the wildlife on their toes more and they were more reticent to move in so close to the house to nibble at the garden goodies.
sigh.
It's frustrating and I just hate throwing all this money into gardening and getting nothing for the effort and expense.
Now if we were to make a proper garden area with real fences to keep out the critters it would be worth going through this exercise.
But that would mean a LOT of money spend on real fencing at the least and seeing as we are only planning on living here another 1.5 years I don't see the point dropping that kind of cash into this.
It would have to be a high fence(to keep the deer at bay)and I think only a wooden variety would be allowed here. Since Hubs can't do it himself we'd have to pay through the nose to have someone else build it.
We do have seasonal access to fresh veggies via farm stands and a farm in the area but at a cost....although it is usually cheaper than buying at the local grocery store. They still aren't veggies we hand raise at home.
So the only way I see putting in yet another garden is if I can come up with something that will keep the critters at bay without shelling out for a proper fence.
I'll be thinking on this issue in the coming weeks.
Sluggy
Do it anyway it is good for you to be frustrated. Right?
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine now gardening. I love it so much and I need the relaxation in the summer. I've heard of putting dog hair around your garden to keep deer out. I would just call a pet groomer and ask for clippings. My friend's mom used to groom dogs and she always gave away clippings. I would set up a trap for the raccoons or try to shoot them with a bb gun since you are in town. Have you tried planting radishes or marigolds to keep out rabbits? Or wind chimes?
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, you could do hanging planters for strawberries and tomatoes. Growing ones own tomatoes are a must.
We plant marigolds regularly in the bed with the veggies and the rabbits visit anyway. And I have a big set of windchimes right over the garden bed in back. sigh
DeleteI may have to resort to hanging planters for maters as I will always try to grow my own of those.
Container gardening on the deck? surround w/ chicken wire to keep friends from harvestimg.
ReplyDeleteThe critters come onto the deck now to get at the veggies now, as the bed is right next to the deck to get the stuff hanging on the deck fence they can't reach from the ground. I think a container would just make it easier for them at this point but thanks. lolz
DeleteI'd go for a container garden. Maybe plant just 3-4 favorites & see how you do before making a big time/$ investment. I love going into the yard to collect our produce at the end of each day. However, the squirrels ate every single avocado this year, which made me see red. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSee reply above.....sigh
DeleteOne of my friends mom's swears by spraying coyote urine around the plants to keep critters out. First off I had no idea you could buy such a product and secondly who does the collection?
ReplyDeleteeuw! lolz
DeleteI quit gardening because as I got older it just seemed like too much work. I know some people find gardening relaxing, but I wasn't one of them. I did it to save money and after the kids left home, I decided it wasn't worth it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think I am at that point. Hubs does help plant stuff but everything else after that is all on me and I am not as spry as I use to be.
DeleteThough I do enjoy piddling in the garden but not when it's beastly hot out.
Oh I miss gardening so!
ReplyDeleteYes, animal hair or urine work well, as does pepper, but you have to keep sprinkling the latter often.
Yes but will animal urine make our deck uninviting to human use? The garden is literally attached to the deck.
DeleteWe don't have much of a garden. It's the little area out the back door and next to the garage. Basil is the winner in my book. It is so expensive and the critters leave it alone. But I couldn't see putting in a garden at this point. It would be too much work.
ReplyDelete