Way back in the middle of January, we used our farm table for the first time. My mountain man helped me "sew" up some hardware cloth to put under a new garden bed. It is much easier than sitting on the hard concrete which is tough on my hips, knees and more. It was still a little hard on the back; but, not as hard as it would have been sitting on the ground.
Is it very effective keeping critters out? We have trouble too.
ReplyDelete@FlakyLMDSo far, yes. I've only tested it on one garden bed for a year. We have gophers and not a one came from below ground. However, I do know several ate my tender shoots from above not to mention a Mockingbird eating my strawberries. So, this year, I am building screens out of chicken wire to go over the plants.
ReplyDeleteWe had strawberries and the slugs got most of them. Ill have Bob get us some hardware cloth!
ReplyDelete@FlakyLMDIf you can, avoid watering in the evenings. Best times are in the morning because slugs are active at night and the soil will be dry by evening time. This reduces the amount of slugs you will have in you garden.
ReplyDeleteDiatomaceous Earth (Food Grade kind - do NOT use the pool grade) is a natural repellent. It slices up the slugs body causing them to die.
If you have lava rocks, you can give this a try creating a barrier as slugs will avoid them due to the abrasive surfaces. I have tons of lava rocks left behind by a previous owner but I have not had to use them as I haven't seen a single slug hereabouts.
I have all this knowledge and put it to use; but, I still have not grown a successful garden. You'd think I'd give up by now; but, I am not a quitter. LOL. :-)