In a past post, we mentioned that we were going to see what happened if we build garden beds outside our fenced-in area. This is what happened: rampant raccoon vandalism.
We even caught him/her in action one night, his/her eyes shining diabolically in the light we flashed. This varmint doesn't eat the plants—just digs them up and tosses them around as it viciously tromps through innocent baby seedlings. So...
We built another fence around the two newest beds. We left room to build yet more beds (but that may wait for next year's growing season). The new fence doesn't have the rustic appeal of the first pallet-wood fence, because we couldn't wait to scavenge old wood for the project. But with a little weather and time, it should patina up.
And we built two gates to protect the herbs on the deck (also rampaged by the raccoon, who left prints alongside all the overturned planters).
So, raccoon (and deer and rabbit) problem solved, that meant it was time for Mother Nature to taunt me with a new fiend: aphids. Just writing that word makes me want to weep. Those tiny beasts munching away on our potato, tomato, pepper and squash plants are attempting to surpass the raccoon's destruction–and no fence can keep them out. Time to spray more neem oil and insecticidal soap...