My First Setback of the Season
It’s a good thing he is so cute. Because yesterday morning our dog, Domino, dug up a big bed planted with greens, stepped all over the newly germinated carrots, and kicked soil onto the freshly mulched path. Sigh.
April 5, 2010
I understand!! My chickens always peck at my new sprouts coming up…but thats not the worst of it! My Cocker Spaniel eats my tomatoes…just as they turn red.
I’ve tried everything to protect them but he always finds a way.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:15 amOh well, the garden would feel so lonley with out all the critters “helping” me tend to it!!! Denise
.-= Denise´s last blog ..Walking the dogs on etsy =-.
Not only does Domino look like my dog, but he appears to have the same clumsy gardening technique. My Sparty always looks so proud of himself after he’s dug up a big patch of sprouts. I have taken to putting netting over empty and freshly planted beds to keep my “helpers” out.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:45 amAww, he does look cute, and very contrite. We, too, have a gardener like Domino. She wants to be exactly where I am working in the garden, preferably laying in the warm soil. She recently plopped herself on a peony trying to make its way to maturity, but somehow it survived. I have to protect all plantings from her doggy exuberance using everything from bamboo stick “fences” to netting to reemay to other homemade contraptions. It sometimes uglifies the backyard, but we manage to get a few edibles, in spite of her!
April 5th, 2010 at 9:00 amEvery gardening year is different with its own set backs. Maybe by having this happen so early you’re guaranteed a good rest-of season!
April 5th, 2010 at 9:01 am.-= gardenmentor´s last blog ..Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Celebration =-.
I really am feeling your pain today. My father brought his 2 year old bloodhound, Lilly, to my house for Easter. She decided at one point in the weekend to “explore” my basement where all of my seedlings are just peeking their heads above the peat pots… while exploring she walked all over my baby sprouts… arrrggghh
April 5th, 2010 at 1:08 pm.-= Brooke´s last blog ..So cute… =-.
Gee, I wouldn’t have any idea what you’re talking about: http://twitpic.com/1b5mox Meet Midnight. Our black lab. He loves dirt. The end.
Just want you to know that you are not alone.
April 5th, 2010 at 1:50 pmAh, labs, you gotta love ‘em. We’ve had three, and they are a pain in the patootie sometimes. Sorry he damaged your bed. Silly thing.~~Dee
April 5th, 2010 at 5:51 pm.-= Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings´s last blog ..Dear Friends and Gardeners, April 5, 2010 =-.
my rottweiler must be feelin’ the same energy. i walked outside this weekend to see her digging in, then EATING, my false spirea bulbs, AFTER she’d gone and dug up my newly planted kiwi. this from a dog who’s never dug. hmm.
April 5th, 2010 at 6:58 pmI too have a pesky puppy that loves to pluck green tomatoes off my plants and then play “keep away” with them!
April 5th, 2010 at 7:56 pm.-= chassie´s last blog ..Mr. & Mrs. Candied Pecan =-.
Denise–I feel you. I once caught Domino eating a cucumber, but I had harvested it. Luckily for me he doesn’t snatch them off the plant!
Stacey–Sparty is the cutest name ever. I am definitely going to net everything from here on out.
LadyPeeJay–Domino loves to hangout in the soil too. He kind of builds himself a little dirt nest, usually right after we’ve given him a bath.
GardenMentor–I hope so!
Brooke–Oh man! I’m not sure if I could forgive a dog that wasn’t mine.
Karen–That picture is priceless. I love his look. It’s like “What?? What is wrong with dirt? You like it too.”
Dee–He is a silly thing and a very lovable one. I forgave him quickly!
Aimee–Hmm. I think they see us digging and decide it sounds like a good idea!
April 5th, 2010 at 8:46 pmI feel your pain on this one. I’ve planted my new cilantro and oregano 3x in 2 weeks because of my digging pomeranian and chihuahua. You gotta love ‘em.
April 6th, 2010 at 10:44 amHe looks like he’s sorry though.
April 6th, 2010 at 11:03 am.-= Alisa-Foodista´s last blog ..Mexican Inspired Shrimp Pasta =-.
I feel your pain, but I think I devised a solution, at least to the raised bed problem. My first solution was here (http://remarkablydomestic.com/2009/11/24/project-keepin…the-raised-bed/) and might keep a smaller dog out of the bed. But alas, our 10 lb dog soon became 50 lbs, so I ended up doing this (http://remarkablydomestic.com/2010/01/12/get-the-dang-d…-my-garden-bed/) and it has worked wonders! I hope it can help you. My bed is undisturbed and growing nicely! (Although he did dig up the bulbs in my regular garden beds about 7 times each.)
April 6th, 2010 at 9:30 pm.-= Beth´s last blog ..15 Second Video Diary: Aloha Kakahiaka =-.
Hey, Beth! for some reason the links didn’t work. I”d love to see your solution. For the moment I stand sentinel by the window when Domino goes outside and tap on the window if he makes a move toward the garden!
April 7th, 2010 at 8:47 amYou, me, and the rest of us sister. My dog Rocky loves laying in my raised bed garden although I’ve finally got him to lay in the ornamental beds. Hey, between the veggies and the cordyline I’ll take the veggies.
I gave up on growing strawberries, for myself at least. Rocky always picked them before I did so now I plant a strawberry jar just for him: http://www.anarchyinthegarden.com/?p=70
Onward!
April 7th, 2010 at 9:18 amHi, Willi,
This picture represents THE reason that we are in the process of building raised beds. Here’s to hoping they are high enough. There will be 7 beds, appx. 4′x6′. Which brings me to my question(s)…
1) In 3 days it will be time to fill my new raised beds with soil. They are a looooong way from the street. What sort of soil do you recommend I use and what’s the best way to get the soil to the beds? Any tricks?
2) I know it’s late to be starting now, so do you have some recommended plants for late planters, like me?
3) Any good tomato recommendations?
4) We took up lawn that was irrigated, so it will be easy to irrigate. Is a drip system my best bet?
So very thankful for having such a smart girl to (hopefully, if you have time) answer my beginner’s questions. Love the Corson class!!
Thanks so much,
June 7th, 2010 at 2:19 pmKaren
Karen–We filled our beds with the vegetable garden mix from cedar grove. We bought it in bulk and had it delivered. Our beds are a long way from the street too. We just used the good old fashioned wheelbarrow to fill them. If you do have soil delivered, have them dump the soil on a tarp, it makes clean up a lot easier.
It’s not too late to plant. If you get stuff in this weekend, you can pretty much grow anything you want. Using transplants will give you a headstart.
As for tomatoes, I like ‘Black Cherry’, ‘Sungold’, ‘Jaune Flamme’, ‘Purple Calabash’, and ‘Stupice. If you can have drip, that’s awesome. I’m so jealous!
June 9th, 2010 at 9:15 am