you can put sticks or those bar b q skewers (point side down so you don't hurt yourself!) in the empty spaces between the plants. every couple of inches. the cats won't jump in there so they won't get hurt either. it has definitely helped me in that situation. my neighbour thought i was being mean to the cats, but they really will just avoid it like they wouldn't go where big plants are growing.
A friend of mine planted plastic forks around her gardens, points up. She said it worked well to discourage cats.
This is known as the three sisters method. From experience I can tell you to not use it for sweet corn and don't plant either the beans or squash until after the corn stalks are at least 10 inches or 25 cm tall. The squash will shade the corn and your germination will be diminished. The beans will look for something to climb soon after sprouting and need those stalks to be available. They will wind their way very tightly around whatever they're climbing and it becomes almost impossible to harvest the corn at a fresh eating stage. This is why the planting method is best reserved for corn that is meant to be left on the plant and made into cornmeal, masa, or hominy.
Betty sounds like a keeper! Good girl, Betty.
Thank you, and its the super sweet corn that I'm after.
After it's up and shooting for the sky, you'll be okay interplanting with a squash or pumpkin but I'd strongly advise against the beans.
This! This is exactly what I meant when I said advice from experienced gardens is pure gold. Can't get anything like that from googling. Thank you so much!!!!
We have about 12 rows of it, so it winds up being pretty square I guess, but never thought of it that way.
This is basically the set up Grandpa had for his sweet corn, +/- a dozen 20' (~6m) long rows. He grew pumpkins and zucchini between every second row and let the leaves sprawl and cover the base of the corn stalks but leaving a narrow path to walk down between every other row.We have about 12 rows of it, so it winds up being pretty square I guess, but never thought of it that way.
Potatoes will go in big pots and planter bags, so will my garlic. Sweet potatoes will go in the ground behind the chicken run, they do so much better there than in planter bags. Trimmed my 5 fig trees, transplanted 6 blackberry bushes and 6 raspberry bushes, have a gooseberry bush and 4 blueberry bushes left to transplant next week. Planted some small paw paw and persimmon trees, they’re only 2 - 3 feet tall. My elderberry bushes have a few leaves. I have 3 peach trees but it’s hit or miss with frost after they have flowers. Last year I planted a plum tree and some apple trees, I hope they will produce but it’s going to be a while, they’re just about 5-6 feet tall. I’m a bit of a haphazard gardener when it comes to veggies.
