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Dresden, Ohio

I was wondering what the best type of fence to use to enclose your pumpkin patch? I am in Ohio and in need of 220 feet of fence/wire. I would like to find something that is 3 feet high. Any suggestions would be great.
-Jeremy
brennen7503@gmail.com

3/7/2009 3:41:09 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Jeremy, at 3 ft most of the bigger animal such as Deer will hop that easily, the next issue would be sinking the fence deep enough into the soil (usually 1 ft min.) to make it secure from animals the dig or burrow like, woodchuck (my personal favorite), rabbits, moles and on and on.
I am putting in new fence this year, I am sticking with the chicken wire, if the mesh is too big most anything will pass through it easily.

3/7/2009 4:03:04 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

If you're shopping for ideas, take a look at electric. One or two lines low for rabbits and woodchucks and another higher for stray dogs or deer if they are a threat. Cost and install is relatively cheap compared to fencing and the posts required for support. I've had baby chucks squeeze thru 2"x3" wire fencing...and they eat just like mommy...LOL! Good luck!

3/7/2009 5:17:32 PM

one thing id add. groundhog can climb as good as a coon rare to see but ive shot them out of top of tree not sure what type of fence would keep them out if they decide you plant is buffet


http://www.terrierman.com/ghboltedjuly3105nicks.JPG

3/7/2009 5:58:18 PM

Owatonna Minnesota

I almost lost a dog to a wood chuck as a kid and have had many a bad encounter w/them.My dog not only lived he became a wood chuck killing machine.A dog can do the job but the pumpkin would be at risk.Sounds like a hot fence is your best bet for above the ground pest.All of my ground is all old pasture and pretty open to everything.I think what helps me the most are the birds of prey we have around here.We have multiple species of owls and hawks and an occasional Bald Eagle.Oh yeah Don I have never seen a wood chuck in a tree.Good luck w/the fence Jeremy.

3/7/2009 9:06:31 PM

Ohio

Jeremy, go with a electric fence, but if your like Tom its hard to put one of those up where he lives I think, because of kids and town ordinances. If you do put up a electric fence up I caution you when you use a weed eater around it, dont weed eat around it all sweaty with out a shirt on and then accidentally touch it with a sweaty shoulder, it will feel like someone hit you with a baseball bat that will drop you to your knees,,,, it hurts!! believe that, I know!,,,LOL

3/8/2009 5:19:17 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I will verify what Don said....groundhogs do indeed climb. I see them occasionally on fence posts and have been surprised by them more than once scrambling out of trees after spotting me. I shot one sleeping on a tree limb over a soybeen field once as well.

3/8/2009 9:31:11 AM

Dresden, Ohio

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I would like to stay away from the electric fence because of our three year old. The groundhog is what I am mainly trying to keep out. I had a fence up around two plants last year, and I did not have any problems with critters. I am going with four plants this year, and I was looking for something that didn't cost a ton of money to put up. Thanks again and best of luck this year!
-Jeremy
www.MyGiantPumpkins.com

3/8/2009 1:04:57 PM

Minnesota

I use corn, its edible. this year I plan to grow it closer todether to cut more wind, I also will be cutting it once it gets to 3 1/2 feet so the sun can gwt in. It worked last year, we had a severe storm come thru, some of the corn got blown over but I put it back up and it did'nt harm it a bit.

3/8/2009 4:32:32 PM

Long Island,New York

Yeah, that corn keeps the varmints out real good.....

3/8/2009 4:52:29 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Good pic Don! Local chucks have taken to climbing my small apple trees for treats! They are lazy beasts, but fully capable of climbing if fencing is buried a little. Brooks makes a good point about getting zapped! Swore my fence wasn't working worth a hoot cause I could grab it with little discomfort...until one morning when I went out to check things in the patch. Sneakers got pretty wet from dew and managed to back into wire while bending over to check something out...stood me bolt upright as i heard the arc hit my ass...laughed all day about that one...no damage but pride! LOL!

3/8/2009 6:35:37 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

.

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/journals/articles/1100/Model_1100_1981_catalog.jpg


Better picture.

3/8/2009 8:09:15 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

LOL Steve...

3/9/2009 7:54:35 PM