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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe gopher protection is provided by 1\/2\u201d galvanized hardware\ncloth (plastic coated galvanized would be even better, but is hard to find).\nThis should not just go on the bottom of the bed however, for maximum\nprotection it should go up the inside of the bed, to within an inch of the top.\nEssentially you are creating a large wire basket that completely fills the\nframe. This means that the bed will be 20\u201d narrower than the width of the wire.\nIf you want to create wider beds you will have to use two pieces of wire to get\nsufficient width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When cutting the wire pay particular attention to the corners, you\ndon\u2019t want any holes. If I\u2019m in any doubts as to whether I have made a good\ncorner I reinforce it with a second piece of hardware cloth. I staple the wire\nto the frame with a pneumatic stapler, to ensure gophers can\u2019t force their way up\nbetween frame and wire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beauty of this system is that it doesn\u2019t rely on the frame for protection, it is simply there support the wire. If you use inferior wood and it starts to rot away, your plants will still be perfectly secure (you could simply put another piece of wood on the outside, without disturbing the bed). This method also solves the problem of gophers simply chewing a hole in the side of the bed. If they do they meet cold hard wire, rather than delicious succulent vegetables.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greenmanpublishing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Gopher-proof-bed.jpg\")
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