burying hardware cloth apron when there are stumps, roots and an embankment

[kortmom]

We have dug a foot wide, probably 3 foot deep trench around our unfinished chicken run and have begun to install the hardware cloth to the bottom outside of the run and formed an apron around the perimeter. Two sides of the run will be easy, it is flat and no roots or stumps, the other two sides are our problem areas. We were able to get about 8 inches of the cloth to lie flat in the trench we dug, but if we spread out the remaining 4 inches or so it basically goes uphill at ground level because of a bank that is full of stumps and roots. It seems if we buried the part that runs uphill with an inch of dirt, that if something came along and dug it up, it could be easily lifted and something could just go under it. It looked ridiculous so my husband got so frustrated that he folded the last 4 inches over and just buried the 8 inches that laid flat in the trench. On one of the problem sides I can line the area with a few layers of big rocks so that isn't too worrisome, plus it has a huge bank and I can't even imagine anything getting through it. We struggled digging with pick axes. My second problem side, however, I am unable to line it with rocks because that is where my double doors are to access the coop and I need to be able to get back there. If I had it all lined with rocks, I wouldn't be able to stand there. And it is so hilly and uneven that I couldn't even put pavers in. Not to mention I spent a fortune on hardware cloth, my husband will not let me go out and buy pavers to cover the hardware cloth. So what should I do? My only options are to leave it the way it is with an 8 inch wide apron buried or to unfold the last 4 inches and run it at ground level, up an uneven bank, and cover it with an inch of dirt.

 

[LaceyMae]

I would spread the 4" out and put dirt over it. Then plant some tough grass or ground cover over it so the roots will hold it in place. Maybe later, come back with the pavers and place them just over the edge of the wire and a bit uphill so that anything attempting to dig would likely stand on the pavers and try to dig at the wire. Ihope it works for you!

 

[kortmom]

Okay. When he is at work tomorrow I will unfold the four inches He is planning on getting some dirt to fill in some low spots here and there so maybe we can try to even some things up a little back there (far from level) and a row of pavers would help. Thank you.