We’re gardening “up” this year to try to solve a big problem from last year.

Despite our best efforts with fencing, something ate all of our cantaloupe and most of our  butternut squash last year, just as they were ripening.

We also wanted to increase the amount of food that our garden plots could produce, and some plants like watermelon, cantaloupe and squash require a lot of space to grow on the ground.

So, this year, we installed thirty cattle panels as trellises on raised market garden beds. This will allow us to plant upwards of 120 plants in a fraction of the space they would require on the ground.

The vines will grow up the fencing, and the fruit will be kept off the ground and out of reach of many insects and small animals.

We’re looking forward to a great 2020 season as we continue to grow and improve Ashby Pasture.