Cheap garden cage

My critter problems are not as bad, but I still have problems.  It doesn't seem like I have rats living in the raised beds, so that's good. I still have plans for keeping it that way.  But something is still eating my veggies. Everything is in a cage. As soon as the plant pops through the cage it gets eaten. A thriving garden I do not have. I really don't want to make large cages for every bed I have. It would be very time consuming, expensive and I would just be a bummer to always have to open a cage every time I want to access the bed. . The veggies I have now are stunted, or over crowded in small cages. So on the worst bed I made a swing set type shape out of some clearance wood I got that was less than a dollar a board. I bought some deer fencing (this is 7'X100' it's a plastic netting with 1/2" holes) I put Brad nails that didn't go in all the way and bent them, so I can hook the net on it. I put in a couple of screws in the sides to hold the net, and used brick to hold the bottom down.  If it's birds causing the problem I'm pretty sure this will solve the problem. If it's squirrels or rodents, I figure it will only be a little bit before they realize they can easily chew through it.  It's going to be a pain in the rear because it gets caught on everything.  The project cost about 30.00 dollars, and maybe an hour of time. I just hope it works.
I will continue to try to make the garden a miserable place for the critters, and hope once spring is underway and there is lots more other things to eat that they will stop eating everything.

I really hope this helps you.  I wonder if there's a way to entice birds of prey into your yard to eat some of the smaller critters?

Birds we have. I hear an owl almost every evening I'm out. I do see Hawks now and then.  To encourage more could be a catch 22 because I have chickens.
A coworker has a barn cat that's a very good mouser. He thinks she might have kittens soon. I told him if he left them with mom long enough to learn to catch rodents I will take two.  They would live outside and only get fed if they look like they are struggling.
We have dogs with a high  praydrive, but the back where the garden is isn't fenced, so they don't have access.
I do plan to put cedar shavings in the garden paths, spray ammonia around the exterior of the beds, and sprinkle cayenne pepper in the beds. These things should help with the rodents, but I suspect it's the birds eating the peas.  I'm putting up some netting, and I'm going to get some of that shiny tape. Not only to deter them, but I also don't want them to get trapped in the netting. I don't want them destroying my garden, but I don't wish them harm.

Jen Fulkerson wrote:  I'm putting up some netting, and I'm going to get some of that shiny tape.

Do you have old CDs that you don't use? You could hang up those to reflect light and scare off the birds - I hear doves are especially fond of tender pea shoots.
Good luck!

Hi Jen,
Any chance you have a game camera or know someone who has one? I once used one to locate where in the world the mice were getting into our kitchen. I set it up and low and behold... this bold "mouse" my wife was complaining about was actually a shrew. And the camera helped me find out where he was coming in, and be able to plug the hole.

In your case, a couple days and nights with the camera ought to confirm what kind of animal you are dealing with, so you don't have to keep fencing blindly. It is very difficult to try to keep everything out, so if you could narrow it down, that would sure help, so you know the best kind of cage/net/fence/deterrent to use.

CDs are a good idea, I will have to scrounge around and see.
I don't have a trail cam, but have wanted one for a while. It would be helpful in the garden and the chicken coop. I don't have a lot of money, but there are some reasonable ones I've looked at.  I've hesitated because it seemed like an indulgence, but maybe it's time.
Thank you

For protecting individual plants, we have ended up with half a dozen metal frames from old garden chairs (after the plastic webbing has failed from sun exposure). I have used them a support for plants, but your could just as easily wrap some of that plastic netting around one for protection.

Jen Fulkerson wrote: I suspect it's the birds eating the peas.  

Birds demolish my peas, particularly the tender leaves and flowers (and especially when it's dry and they don't have standing water to drink). The net should help with that.

Hi Jen and all those with hungry creatures who see permaculture gardens as paradise. Speaking from experience, I find that less netting, absurdly low fencing (24") and more water stations are the only ways to attain a harvest in my gardens.
Why? The more netting, the less able the helpful predators are able to help control the unwelcome pests. The netting actually makes the nuisance critters safer and happier to devour the garden inside the lovely fenced shelters that desperate gardeners often provide.
For thirsty predators, water stations are like a giant billboard that says, "Welcome Predators!" The more welcome rodent-eaters feel about my land the more they dine on the pests. Coyotes, bull snakes, foxes, hawks, owls, falcons, and other creatures all have custom-sized water stations. There is no cage or effective fence so the predators, like the pesky garden-eaters, also have easy access to the yard. If the keen-eyed birds see netting, they won't dive bomb a mouse, squirrel or rabbit. When the coyotes can hop over a 24" fence, they can take out the rabbits.
For a counter-intuitive solution, consider providing favorite treats for the mice, rabbits and other rodents. Put the feeding station in a place that is super easy for winged predators to observe from trees nearby. I offer old fruit, bread, cooked rice... and put the treats in a clearing near the driveway within view from the upper branches of my neighbor's tall cottonwood. The results are very satisfying.
I'm not saying all is perfect but there is more food for the humans and more money and time saved by passing on cages. I'm satisfied with the balance.

I really don't want to net, or fence my garden. I figured I would do a couple as a kind of insurance policy.  One group of peas are already looking better.
We live between two orchards. Though we do have some predators, the city is getting closer. As of last year we are now in city limits. I still hear an owl at night. Used to see lots of Hawks, now only once in a while. I haven't seen a fox in a very long time. The coyotes seem to  be the only larger predator that  hasn't declined. We have big dogs, so they keep their distance for the most part. We do have garter snakes, tons of toads, lizards, and many types of birds.
My main garden is fenced, to keep the chickens out. When they aren't out the gates are open.
Last spring I used a saucer on top of several ollas and kept them full of water. Thinking I was helping the bees and predator bugs. Now I wonder if it's why the rats made nests in my raised beds. They never did that before. Living between orchards we have always had to deal with rodents. I got rid of them, and stopped filling the top with water. One suggestion I got was to fill hummingbird feeders with water for the bees and other bugs. I plan on doing that.
I don't mind sharing a little with the critters. I got one melon last summer. All the others were eaten. I planted peas 3 times. Without the cages I wouldn't have any veggies at all.  A few times when I thought the plant was big enough I removed the cage only to find the plant eaten up or gone completely.
My hope is once spring comes and there's more natural food I won't have as much of a problem. I really hope so, because I don't want to have to cage my garden. I will if it's what I have to do to be able to enjoy what I grow.
Thanks everyone

Thank you for explaining more about your conditions, Jen. I really admire your effort to respect the beneficial insects, amphibians and other creatures, and truly appreciate the careful observation you noted here:

Last spring I used a saucer on top of several ollas and kept them full of water. Thinking I was helping the bees and predator bugs. Now I wonder if it's why the rats made nests in my raised beds. They never did that before. Living between orchards we have always had to deal with rodents. I got rid of them, and stopped filling the top with water.

Each place is so unique. Your dedication to finding balance in a difficult environment really inspires me: thank you. It sounds like you've thought through the humane and natural approaches and know what to try next. I respect your need to try more robust protective measures.
Regarding your search for a cheap garden cage, my neighbors who use a cage employ chicken wire around a frame built with rebar. The rebar forms the lines of a rectangle then the chicken wire covers the planes around that rectangle. The cage is free standing since the wire wraps around the bottom as well as the top. Since you already have your raised bed, wrapping the bottom of the cage might be difficult. It may require digging out the bed or starting a new bed. This metal cage is relatively inexpensive when purchasing the rebar at an industrial metal supplier. Two pipes are helpful to bend the rebar. Use baling wire to tie the rebar assemble the structure and secure the wire.
A small test cage with a new raised bed could be the mini-laboratory for your study. Alternatively, Craigslist will often have used dog kennels for sale that could also be an inexpensive option. If the openings in the fenced dog kennel are too large, tie on chicken wire or hardware cloth to keep the critters out.
Best wishes for a beautiful growing season Jen. Please keep us posted on your journey.

Edited to include link to brilliant cage design for really big predators

Thank you very much Amy. I appreciate your and everyone's input and support.  It's what makes permies so special. It seems to attract the most amazing people. Thanks

Well it worked. I pulled one side up, and the peas have filled the whole bed. I think when the peas are done I will remove the netting, and leave the frame. I think it will be useful for tomatoes.