I've read if they feel they don't have a "safe landing space" they won't jump over a fence that they can easily jump over.

I think that's what I was trying to say, Jim

Just put up a sign. That's how the deer know where to cross the road.

purpleinopp said: Just put up a sign. That's how the deer know where to cross the road.

That's the way it works on the highways, right?

We actually had a long break in the rain today, so we ran outside and finished the ground apron around the entire food forest, and I put in the support posts for the gates. The physical fence is officially finished. We'll start installing the perimeter electric fence next week.

Happy Easter or Passover to all!

We got 12 of the 24 posts in for the electric fence today which will be 2 feet out from the physical fence. We hit a lot of shale as we drove the posts, so was grueling work, with some taking over 200 "hits" with the post driver just to get them 24" into the ground.

Half done is better than not at all. You didn't know what a rough job it would be, so my applause for proceeding. Good luck with the rest of it. I imagine you'll sleep well.

Getting closer to the finish line, Jim! (well, with any kind of gardening there is never really a "finish" - but at least the "protect the food forest from the wildlife" phase will be finished )

We got the rest of the t-posts in today for the electric fencing and all the insulators attached in addition to filling 3 of the new raised beds with soil. Tomorrow, after fertilizing everything in the food forest, I will start running the wire for the electric fencing. I am running 4 strands at 8", 16", 30" and 45"...about 1600' of electric wire.

Today, we got the 4 Magnolia vines planted at the 4 corners of the pergola, and we dug a trench almost 40 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot deep in order to plant our 20 asparagus plants. We'll fill the trench with the 50/50 mix of topsoil/mushroom compost. Also, got every plant in the food forest fertilized with its "favorite" fertilizer. Exhausted!

You are remarkable!

pirl said: You are remarkable!

Thanks, Arlene! Remarkable or bullheaded?

I was thinking more along the lines of "crazy" - but only in the very best way, Jim!

Weedwhacker said: I was thinking more along the lines of "crazy" - but only in the very best way, Jim!

You may be right!

Maybe both but they serve you well.

Today we decided the 40-foot x 2-foot x 1-foot trench was not big enough to plant the 20 asparagus plants, so we made it about 8" deeper and 6" wider. The ground in that area is all clay. Figured we do it right the first time! We will back fill the trench with a 50/50 mix of topsoil and mushroom compost just above the crowns. As they begin to grow, we will keep adding some of the 50/50 until the trench is filled.

We also got the 12-gauge wire strung for our grape vines (1 Concord and 1 Niagara) and planted them and attached the insulators for the electric fence to the two entrance gates.

Tomorrow, maybe begin to plant the asparagus, and plant the elderberry and 2 gooseberries. After that, we have 3 Hazelnut, 2 plums, and 2 cherries to plant.

No rest for the weary!

I thought I read somewhere that Elderberries are self-pollinated, so I just bought one. This morning I found out that their self-pollinating properties are poor, and I will need another variety for good pollination, so I just ordered a York Elderberry to go along with my Adams Elderberry.

To keep track of the 30+ trees/bushes and vines, I put together a list. This is what we have planted so far or will be planting within the next week. We will also be planting all kinds of annual vegetables and flowers along with other annual flowers that are not listed here.

What I heard about elderberries.... was that like pawpaws, what was needed was for the different plants to not be clones.
When I took a pot of elderberry to someone in town last winter... I dug up seedlings from different parts of the garden and potted them together... Reckon I'll find out if that works...
There may be wild elderberries close enough to your new bush that getting other named shrubs wasn't needed... seems like they are everywhere down here.... Keep your eyes open, you should be seeing them in bloom all along the highway soon...