We've had plenty of gardens over the years. Some were quite large, including broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, raspberries, carrots, potatoes, onions, radishes, green and yellow beans, kohlrabi, beets, garlic, and enough cabbage to fill our crock for homemade sauerkraut.
I love to can and freeze, and still do, so having a big garden was a beautiful pairing. But as the years trickled by, the garden began to shrink. For the last several years, it disappeared altogether. In its place, I spent time writing my books, working on my golf game, and playing tennis.
This spring, when my husband suggested turning a strip of land at the end of our driveway into a 45'x4' wide retainer-type garden, I quickly agreed. Having missed gardening, I was eager to sink my fingers into the dirt and experience yesteryear.
He quickly went to work, pounding thick, newly stained, sturdy posts into the ground. Using I-hooks and turnbuckles, he mounted the cables, securing both with stakes. Last, he secured
(This year, I planted: broccoli, pepper plant assortment, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, beets, dill, zucchini, lettuce and basil).
the wire fence with galvanized fencing staples.
I purchased insect netting and draped it over the newly built structure and secured it in place using wood planks and pavers. Our war with the Japanese beetles, the deer, rabbit, and whatever else comes out at night to feast on our plantings has not been a successful one! Notice the forest right behind the garden! Trying to avoid chemical sprays and powders was also my goal and warranted the protection. It's not foolproof, but it's close :).
The netting is easily lifted and clipped onto a support wire for weeding and watering.
Except for a few holes early on in my broccoli leaves, I have to say, my garden is THRIVING! This new way of gardening just might be the answer.
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