Hated by Wildlife, Loved by the Hanks Family

Like any organic garden, the Hanks family started theirs with high hopes. But storm clouds soon rolled in over their sunny daydreams of harvesting fresh produce, when their garden became a feeding station for neighborhood deer and rabbits. But is was the betrayal of one of their own - the cucumber and tomato scarfing family dog - that stung the most. 

 

But that’s all in the rearview mirror, now, and there’s a new sheriff in town. Their new organic garden will no doubt be just as appealing to hungry deer and rabbits, but they’ll have to appreciate it from outside a sturdy, 8’ tall enclosure. This robust fortress, framed with rough sawn red cedar 2”x3” lumber and wrapped with 1/2” galvanized wire mesh, will easily repel the most spry buck in his prime, let alone armies of rabbits or that rascally family dog. 

Hanks Family's Greenhouse and Enclosed Garden from Microfarm Organic Gardens on Vimeo.

 

A single, sturdy door allows access for gardeners with thumbs, and centered within the enclosure, a U-shaped raised bed stands ready for the next growing season. The 18” tall raised garden bed is made with eastern red cedar, and measures 8’ long on the outer sides. It’s filled with a ‘soilless’ blend of pine bark fines, mushroom compost, and Stalite PermaTill, that has excellent drainage and aeration, and will never become compacted over time.  

A generous application of Espoma’s iconic Plant Tone organic fertilizer will ensure vigorous plants, and an automated 1/2” drip irrigation system will free up more time for the Hanks family.

 

Dwarf citrus trees are also on the family's wish list, and those will grow in style by the swimming pool, all summer long. And when the nights get cold again, the citrus trees won’t mind moving into their cozy, new 8’x8’ cedar-framed greenhouse for the winter. It’s framed with 2” thick eastern red cedar lumber, and glazed with 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate. We chose Polymatte material made by Polygal ; a high performance greenhouse glazing with an opaque finish that diffuses sunlight and helps prevent scalding to plants on bright, clear days.

The structure is anchored to a base built with interlocked red cedar timbers and filled with a three inch layer of small glacier pebbles to create a comfortable floor with excellent traction and drainage. Two vent windows open automatically to help maintain an optimal temperature inside the greenhouse. 

 

Understandably, The Hanks family loves their new enclosed garden and greenhouse. The sun is shining on their new garden projects, and this time, there isn’t a rain cloud in sight. And what do the deer and rabbit communities, and the family dog think about the new enclosed garden and greenhouse? They don’t have the same enthusiasm, but they can still admire the garden... from a distance.