skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Hardware cloth?

14 years ago

I've seen references to people using this as a gopher barrier in raised beds.

Can't the gophers just chew through this plastic mesh? Or am I thinking of the wrong stuff?

Comments (8)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
Think galvanized metal hardware cloth. Gophers won't go thru that. I've used it above ground to exclude birds and ward off hail.
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
14 years ago
I don't know why it's called hardware "cloth" since it is all metal. Most places where I've seen it for sale have at least two mesh sizes. Menards, Home Depot, etc. and local hardware stores usually have it in stock. I haven't used it for gopher troubles, but it screens soil and compost well when tacked onto a rectangular wood frame. I've cleaned stones out of a few areas where I wanted to grow long carrots by using a hardware cloth screen with closely spaced wires.
Related Discussions
How To Splice Hardware Cloth For Poultry Run?
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks cella jane. :) You know, I was thinking seriously about the industrial size zip-ties...my husband uses them in his service tech work and they are monsterously strong. Plus he can get them in bulk and I could use them quickly and by myself. My only question is, how will they hold up in our southern California sun... I was also thinking of a whip-stitch-type thing using wire, but you are right, it would take two people and if possible I'd like to be working on the splicing while my husband finishes the rest of the run (we are planning a trip and the ol' clock is tickin'). I also considered using hog rings, but I think they might have too much 'give' to them. Being in the city, fencing supply places are practically non-existent, so knowledge like this isn't common. And asking the folk at Home Depot just earns me a panicked stare. *L* But one way or another this run will get there. :) Velvet ~:>
...See More
Hardware cloth for clematis and other vines
Q
Comments (34)
Yes, your husband is correct, though a big upside down U missing the bottom support would also be fine since the feet planted in the ground will provide the stiffness needed for the base. Give it relatively long feet, at least a foot to 1 1/2’, depending on your wind and soil type and the trellis height because the vine covered trellis makes a good sail. Mine usually have long feet, more like 2’ because I have sandy soil. I would make it at least 4’ wide for a vigorous clematis like Jackmanii, though for smaller plants, 3’ might be enough. The fence height can be the width or you can have bands of fencing going across the width of the frame if you want a width other than what is available in fencing. 8’-10’ should be fine.
...See More
Hardware Cloth Under Shed to Keep Rodents from Nesting
Q
Comments (9)
We have been putting up garden sheds since the 80's on various rural sites, and have nothing but good experience using gravel with a hardware cloth interface. The very first shed I put up did not have the hardware cloth, and I constantly battled critters getting into the base surface. I spent hours trapping and baiting all the animals that found the shed-covered area their perfect base. We have a number of sheds now, and all have been successfully protected from the many burrowing animals with a simple gravel and wire system. What I am most pleased with are two sheds, one about 10x20', the other about 20x30. One was built in 1993, the other about 1995. In neither case have animals been able to penetrate the barriers I put down, but they have sure tried a lot. We have a particular problem with squirrels, rabbits and mice. I have seen lots of places on the exterior where they started to dig, found my protection, and finally gave up. We have no nests at all under either structure. My method is to put down about a foot deep layer of gravel, with the wire mesh extending out from the runners about 18". I prefer to put the mesh an inch or two below the surface. This makes the whole installation look better, and also seems to be very effective at deterring diggers. Once the shed is erected, I attach the mesh all around the sides of the sheds to the runners. In one shed which uses the gravel as its floor I placed the wire mesh under the whole area of the shed. The mesh probably costs less than a singe trap I'd need to get rid of an unwanted critter, only takes a few minutes to lay down, and I find it works well. Even on the inside of the shed with the gravel floor, I place the mesh about an inch or two below the surface. This really avoids any trip hazards, and makes for a good presentation. If I put up another shed, I will definitely put wire down over the entire footprint. A 20x30' shed would need about 700 square feet of wire cloth, about the amount in one 7'x100' roll which only costs 25-30 dollars. I would put down most of the gravel, lay the mesh, then lay the rest of the gravel. If you already have the gravel down, I strongly agree with Ken above: take the time to put the mesh in; you won't regret it. Renais
...See More
Hardware cloth sleeves for vole deterrent
Q
Comments (4)
I haven't planted larger perennials in these except for some Baptisia. I mostly plant clematis in them. I usually go for just under 1' diameter since I can get the hardware cloth in 36" widths, I cut off an 8" band and create my cylinder. The plants I've used them on tend to be deeper rooted, and not ones I divide, so 1' has been adequate. All my phlox would be too large for that. How large do your phlox get before you want to divide them? Make it a bit larger than that, and be prepared to cut some roots when it's time to divide. It probably means you will need to cut the rolls of hardware cloth the long way to get a long enough strip to make larger cylinder. One word of warning . . . I've stopped puttering in the ornamental gardens barefoot after stepping on one of my rings when I lost my balance and skewered my foot on the wire edge. Ouch!!
...See More
Belgianpup
14 years ago
Think 'metal mesh', the corners are welded. The two common sizes are 1/2" and 1/4". 1/8" exists, but is harder to find. The metal is usually coated with zinc ('galvanized'), but some kinds are coated with green vinyl.

As Naturegirl said, stapled to a wooden frame, it makes a great sifter (soil or ashes).

I don't know where people come up with some names and descriptions... like 'horsefeathers'! ???

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardware cloth photo
flora_uk
14 years ago
Hardware 'cloth' puzzled me too until I realised it's what we'd call wire netting over here. .... and now I've just had to look up 'horsefeathers'!
bejay9_10
14 years ago
flora uk -

We always wonder why foreign-born have trouble learning our brand of English.

It helps to keep "abreast" of the language. I was just musing over the expression yesterday when speaking to my son. I said to him, "how can I fix my "remote?" Of course, all you savvy computer/TV folks would know what I meant, but what if some alien from outer space heard that - (one who was somewhat literate of the language - however).

Just my 2 c's.

P.S. I just read an article in Wikipedia about botulinum toxin. We talk about that a lot over on another forum. It was a bit interesting. One of those love/hate relationships, I'd say.

Bejay
jillzee
14 years ago
It works, at least for keeping mice/voles from digging under the edge of my cold frame! When I first set it up with some plants, the next day there was a hole under the side and a few were missing. I just buried about 8" worth around the outside of the cold frame and haven't had any trouble since! Fortunately it was a slightly raised bed with nice soil (not the heavy clay I have elsewhere in my yard) so burying it was no trouble. :)
marlingardener
14 years ago
We use hardware cloth as a digging deterrent much as jillzee does, but we put it around the chicken coop. Skunks and raccoons will dig and enter if they can. I also put some on the ground around my newly planted roses last year to keep our free-range chickens from unearthing the roots. Newly turned soil is a magnet for those ladies!
bejay9_10
14 years ago
The only way I could varmint-proof my chicken coop and run was to wrap the hardware completely around it. Raccoons can reach through a chain link fence and kill/eat chickens right through the fence.

My whole growing area looks like a fortress, but it was the only way - caging everything.

Bejay

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

ORGANIZING Smart Solutions for Clothes Closets

By Laura Gaskill

The Hardworking Home: Explore these ways to store your clothes, shoes and accessories to make the most of your space

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Hate Hauling Laundry? Give Dirty Clothes the Chute

By Nicole White Designs Interiors LLC

New project for a new year: Install a quick route to the laundry room

ECLECTIC HOMES My Houzz: Clothing Designers Bring Their Fashion Sense Home

By Nanette Wong

Casual but pulled together, this San Francisco family’s home embodies effortless chic

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Top Hardware Styles for Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

By KitchenLab Interiors

Simple Shaker style opens itself to a wide range of knobs and pulls. See which is right for your own kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Top 9 Hardware Styles for Flat-Panel Kitchen Cabinets

By KitchenLab Interiors

Accentuate this simple cabinet style to best advantage in a modern or contemporary kitchen with the right pulls or latches

KITCHEN CABINETS What to Shop for in Cabinet Hardware and Millwork

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about finishing touches for kitchen and bath cabinets to pick the options that will work best for you

KITCHEN DESIGN Get a Grip on Kitchen Cabinets With the Right Knobs and Pulls

Here's how to pair the right style, type and finish of cabinet hardware with your kitchen style

HOUSEKEEPING How to Fix a Stinky Garbage Disposal

By Becky Harris

No plumber’s fee or even a trip to the hardware store is required with these easy solutions

DECORATING GUIDES Custom Draperies 101

Say yes to great fabric, liner and hardware

MOST POPULAR 19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About

By Mitchell Parker

Could your kitchen use a new sink, a backsplash, updated hardware, better organization, a good cleaning? Here's how to get started

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading Kitchen & Bath Remodelers in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Best Way to Enclose Existing Raised Beds?

11

gave my garlic a haircut today

8

Garden slug tip

3

Slug killer 1% Iron Phosphate vs. 5% Sodium Ferric?

2

What are rabbits favorite veggies?

2