garden fences

When Bobby and I would visit his aunts, one of the topics of conversation was her garden. Sometimes I asked her questions; sometimes she would talk and ask me questions (aka interrogate). But I must say I learned from her that there's no shame in trying something and it not working, or trying something that didn't work a second time.

One year we were both having problems with deer. 1/3 of my garden was peas that year and the plants were doing the best of anything I had ever planted. Pea pods (they look like little sticks) were coming out and I was starting to get excited. Until the next morning when half the row was nothing but leafless stems...no flowers, no leaves, no pea pods...nothing. The next morning, the rest of my peas were in the same shape. Turns out the deer climbed my little 3 ft fence, enjoyed their free buffet, and my plants never recovered. Many farmers and gardners in the area complained about deer and resorted to all sorts methods to deter them.  After that summer, Aunt Betty Jean told me she had discovered a way to keep them out. She was going to build a fence that deer could get through. I thought she was crazy, as I've seen deer jump 5 ft fences.

That was several years ago. It wasn't many summers after that Aunt Anne got sick and required constant care, and Aunt Betty Jean didn't have a garden as she was tending her sister instead. Then her own health declined.

This week we visited with a cousin for a tour of the homeplace, and one of the things I got to see was Aunt Betty Jean's garden site. It literally took my breath away and made my jaw drop a little.

I think she succeeded. I don't think a deer could jump this fence. And I was also shocked at the scope of the garden site. It makes mine look so tiny, but then she planted for the whole year and they seldom ate out.

This was a surprise. A pleasant one. It's just so her. It made me laugh, and made me thankful that she had a place where she could spend her time doing what she loved.