Love your garden updates! Gardening really is an ongoing experiment. I've found it takes a lot of trial and error and that's partly why I find it rewarding. The knowledge builds with time and through the process of experimentation and persistence.
I have trouble with squirrels too. This year I got some fine mesh garden netting and it really helped protect my seeds (the squirrels would not stop digging up all the seeds I planted!) and baby seedlings. It's very lightweight so I was able to just drape it over my beds until my seedlings got a little bigger/stronger and had a better chance against pests. Maybe something to look into/consider for next year!
I love this series, it's so refreshing reading from someone who's at a similar stage in their gardening journey to me. I get overwhelmed by the gardening websites that are filled with pictures of people's perfect gardens while I'm here trying to convince some carrots to maybe consider growing!
My biggest animal related issue isn't wildlife, it's one of my cats who insists upon lying on top of any freshly planted seedlings. He killed off my entire pumpkin patch the other year, so I had to replant it and cover the whole area with wooden BBQ skewers to make it uncomfortably pointy.
I have an ongoing beef with the chipmunks. They actually harass me when I water, they have no fear. I will look into how to use coffee grounds to deter them from taking one bite out of each almost-ripe tomato, like they usually do. I’m worried it will attract other pests, though, like raccoons? Raccoons have devastated my corn two years in a row. Obv that doesn’t stop me from trying again this year. My biggest nemesis, though, as usual, is the weather. It’s been grey and still in the 60’s. Things are looking green, but not exactly shooting up. I’m hoping warmer temps next week will give them a boost. I love that you put trellis-arches in!
there's so much growing (and I wish I could send you my coffee grounds ... we're coffee drinkers around here)!
This is so fun, Chelsey! I can't wait to see the chaotic wildflower garden in full bloom.
Me too!!!
Love your garden updates! Gardening really is an ongoing experiment. I've found it takes a lot of trial and error and that's partly why I find it rewarding. The knowledge builds with time and through the process of experimentation and persistence.
I have trouble with squirrels too. This year I got some fine mesh garden netting and it really helped protect my seeds (the squirrels would not stop digging up all the seeds I planted!) and baby seedlings. It's very lightweight so I was able to just drape it over my beds until my seedlings got a little bigger/stronger and had a better chance against pests. Maybe something to look into/consider for next year!
Yeah I did not have it in me to do fencing this year, but next year it might be necessary!
I love this series, it's so refreshing reading from someone who's at a similar stage in their gardening journey to me. I get overwhelmed by the gardening websites that are filled with pictures of people's perfect gardens while I'm here trying to convince some carrots to maybe consider growing!
My biggest animal related issue isn't wildlife, it's one of my cats who insists upon lying on top of any freshly planted seedlings. He killed off my entire pumpkin patch the other year, so I had to replant it and cover the whole area with wooden BBQ skewers to make it uncomfortably pointy.
I have an ongoing beef with the chipmunks. They actually harass me when I water, they have no fear. I will look into how to use coffee grounds to deter them from taking one bite out of each almost-ripe tomato, like they usually do. I’m worried it will attract other pests, though, like raccoons? Raccoons have devastated my corn two years in a row. Obv that doesn’t stop me from trying again this year. My biggest nemesis, though, as usual, is the weather. It’s been grey and still in the 60’s. Things are looking green, but not exactly shooting up. I’m hoping warmer temps next week will give them a boost. I love that you put trellis-arches in!