Predator Proofing Alternative - comments appreciated

[joletabey]

I agree, 6" isn't deep enough. I have rocks every two inches here, so I bent out an apron of hardware cloth and used landscape pins to secure it-or at least to hold it flat so DH can mow until I can edge and rock it or something- and believe you me, I even had to keep shifting around rocks just to pound those in the ground-

 

[xyresicchick]

I agree with EVERYONE who has said 6" is not deep enough. I use a SKIRT of 1/2inch hardware cloth around my gardens and that is how i keep out rats and mice. squirrels still get in there by climbing up the fence (but marigolds keep them from eating the veggies as they have a harder time smelling them).

the only way to keep burrowers out is to lay it horizontally across the ground, not just vertically.

planting over a skirt is incredibly easy, as roots can penetrate the hardware cloth, but it keeps out critters as they don't think to start their tunnel two feet away from the fencing.

fold the mesh into an L shape with the longer part against the ground and attach the short end to the current fencing/coop and this should be very effective at keeping them out

I don't know about you, but did you ever try pounding a stake into the ground WITHOUT hitting a rock or rocks?

HAHA, i live in new england... thanks to the ice age we have billions of rocks. my house is 12 years old.. actually 13 now... but before my house was here, there was a church... and my yard is filled with all sorts of weird things!

rocks, asphalt, concrete, bricks, old reel to reel film (no joke!), long rusted poles... its totally bizarre! i have a lot of fun digging things up in my yard. my boyfriend is gonna get a metal detector