I'm curious if anyone here has used grow cages, particularly those that resemble greenhouses but have mesh sides and a mesh roof instead of insulation. I remember seeing a great photo somewhere, maybe on Reddit, but I can't find it now. My goal is to create something I can cover with a tarp during the winter to help keep the greenhouse effect. I live in a rural area plagued by deer, opossums, groundhogs, and mice, and I've had trouble with them munching on my garden produce for years. Despite a 4-foot picket fence and chicken wire, these critters keep getting into my garden. My pea and sugar snap peas are just starting to sprout, and I'm hoping to protect them this year. I would really appreciate any advice, building plans, or solutions you can share. Thanks!
1 Answer
I built a livestock panel greenhouse that might be similar to what you're describing. It's on top of an 8'x8' raised bed, but you could set it up directly on the ground as well. Just search for 'livestock panel greenhouse' online, and you'll find tons of variations. Mine started as a simple raised bed made from leftover wood, and it turned into a pretty effective greenhouse after adding some hog panels and plastic sheeting. Just be sure to add some structural support to handle the winter weather if that’s a concern for you. I'm planning to rebuild it with better materials next year, but the basic design works well! There's a picture here to give you an idea of what it looks like.
Yes, I love this design! I’m currently using hog panels with a hydroponic setup on the outside to create shade during the hot summer months!
This looks great! Does the livestock panel need some form of support in the middle? And do you have to take the plastic cover on and off with the seasons?