For those who asked about the bunnies getting through the high fences, yes, they can. The jackrabbits cannot but the cottontails can and do!
Fence
Not sure if you can even see in this picture but (1) the holes are smaller at the bottom than at the top but still not small enough to keep the rabbits out and (2) there are two rabbits in the picture just behind the rock formation. I noticed them playing after I took the picture.
We’ll eventually remove all the small fences from around the fruit trees. We put those up to keep the deer from getting to them before we had the high fence. We’ll wrap the base of the tree in 2 feet tall chicken wire to keep the rabbits for gnawing the bark . . which they love to do.
Even with the high fence, anything else we plant inside there has to be fenced with chicken wire for the time being.
Melon Patch
The freshly tilled spot is the melon patch and Vince put up the 2′ chicken wire around it. Eventually, Vince will put chicken wire around the bottom of the high fence and then we won’t have to individually fence off every little spot.
Between the rabbits, the grasshoppers, the deer, the new well, the water tank, the pumps and who knows what else . . gardening can be difficult and rather expensive! I guess in the long run, it pays off but at this point, I wonder.
Tinkerfeet says
Enjoyment is priceless !!!
AngieG9 says
It really does pay off in the long run. You know where your food comes from and what is in it. And just thinking about all the fresh produce is making my mouth water. Our farmers market hasn’t opened yet due to the wierd spring weather we have had, so it will be a while before I can connect with the local produce, but I’m still waiting and hoping it won’t be long.
Question: my son is head of maintenance at what used to be called Ragu. It has changed names so many times I can’t keep up, but today he brought me a case of pasta sauce that is an off brand that they have been outsourcing for Kroger. The sell by date is 11 – 11. I have never hesitated to eat my own home canned food if it lasts longer than a year, but I don’t know about factory canned. What do you think? Eat or throw away? I can always use the jars for my home made sauce.
Marion Morgan says
When in doubt, throw it out
Kathleen says
Open and smell. If it was professionally canned and sealed nothing can contaminate it if its been stored well. Try it out and see how you feel the next day. I believe best by dates are very conservative.
Pat Hathaway says
We used to have to put chicken fence around all our flower beds when we lived in Sioux Falls, SD. The rabbits were so prolific they ate everything in site–including the hostas. In the winter the snow would get so deep it would cover the chicken fence and the dogs would run right over the top of it. Then in the spring when the snow disappeared they couldn’t understand why they couldn’t run from one side of the yard to the other without hitting chicken wire. LOL It turned out to be a blessing because it would be muddy after the snow melted and they’d be knee deep in mud if they got into the flower beds.
Kathleen says
I’m thinking you’re going to have to live there for another 50 years to recoup your investment.