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I'm going to build the a box for my vegetable garden that has a 10" riser with a 6" bevel frame. The idea is this will stop mice from climbing up over the side.

I was at the store pricing out wire mesh to line the bottom to prevent the mice from digging up under it, but the mesh was very expensive.

Do you think a mesh is required? or is there another way to prevent mice from digging under the box?

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Reactgular
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    I don't think your frame is going to stop mice climbing over the side; they're unbelievably agile. Are you getting a lot of mouse damage to your veg? I haven't heard of mice causing a lot of garden damage, nor have I heard of them digging. (Not that this isn't possible.) Or do you maybe have voles? – bstpierre May 31 '12 at 17:48
  • The mice destroy everything except peppers. Tomatoes planted in containers were safe, so I thought a bevel top on the garden might help, but I wouldn't be surprised if they can still get over the edge. – Reactgular May 31 '12 at 18:42
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    mice can get through a hole smaller than a quarter so mesh is not going to stop them. Are you absolutely sure it's mice doing the damage? I don't live too far from you and seeds and nuts seem to be the food of choice for them – kevinskio May 31 '12 at 19:06
  • We do have rabbits in the area, but I've been able to close of the backyard from them. Mouse traps and poison have produced a lot of dead mice, and they eat out the insides of tomatoes just before they are ready to pick. Yea, I'm sure it's mice. – Reactgular May 31 '12 at 19:15
  • sounds like you need to get a bunch of cats – DA. May 31 '12 at 19:35
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    I have a cat. He just sits on the grass watching the mice and does nothing. Lazy fat cat. – Reactgular May 31 '12 at 19:47
  • If you want to stop them from digging, you could get a metal landscaping border and bury it around the edge. But I'm not sure if the frame will stop them from climbing. – Doresoom May 31 '12 at 20:46
  • Did you ever find the answer to your questions? "Do I have to line the bottom of my vegetable garden with a wire mesh", looking for the same answer – Phill Pafford Jun 04 '12 at 12:57
  • I did, but I'd have to draw a diagram to explain it. I'll post one later. – Reactgular Jun 04 '12 at 15:56

1 Answers1

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I think this post about using five gallon buckets as planters is a relevant solution. It has these advantages:

  • cheaper and faster than building the box you have shown
  • the smooth sides of the buckets will hinder mice climbing up. A little silicone lubricant will make the sides extra slippery.
  • works for tomatoes, green peppers and many herbs
  • you can always increase your protection by using the kiddie pool suggested by LogicalLunatic in the post as a moat
Community
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kevinskio
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