When we resurrected the Big garden in 2008, we didn’t have a lot of money so we used 1” chicken wire. As it measures 60’ x 42.5’ for well over 200 linear feet, not an insignificant amount of money.
I had dug out chicken wire fencing several times in the past when we moved gardens or when we dismantled the Big garden in 2005. It’s a daunting task, trying to get those sharp, rusty spikes out of the soil so no one steps on them.
Over the last 9 years the chicken wire had been hit by the weedwacker and the riding mower one time too many and had developed gaping holes. The worst side was the south side and in 2017 the rabbits were running in and out through the holes. It had to be replaced.
Trench dug, fence ready to put up June 2017
South side fence finished and rabbit proof June 2017
East side fence before, February 2018
North side fence before, February 2018
The East and North sides were obviously not going to make it through another season. The wire had rotted right through and there was no patching the holes. So during an unseasonably warm spell in February 2018, I started the chore of digging out the rotted bits on a 60’ side and a 36’ side.
East side February 2018
The first day I got the fence down and moved the mulch away from where I had to dig.
North side February 2018
February 2018
I got 8’ dug. The ground was mostly thawed but it was still really cold! Then I had to wait for the next warm spell.
By the end of March I’d made it 20’ down the East side. The posts are 10’ apart.
The trench was about 1’ wide and 10” – 12” deep. I piled the sifted soil to my left, to leave me a place to sift soil in the trench.
By mid April I’d made it halfway, 30’.
I made it around the corner and 10’ down the side by April 23rd.
Once I’d gotten all the wire out, I move the soil back into the trench and tamped it down firmly.
Then I made a V trench with my shovel that the wire would slip down into. I’ve always buried the wire 8” down.
This was April 30th.
Fence in the trench
The fence is up and the mulch is back in place by May 3rd. Now I could move onto the next project that must be finished before I could plant this garden: cutting tree limbs down.
The West side is not as bad. But it will have to be done either this fall or next spring. Another 60’ run.
