Cheap and easy edging for my veg patches??

vineweevil1 · « **on:** May 08, 2008, 09:08 »

On our new allotment I have mapped some borders out with string but this is far from enough to deter my 2 year old from walking on them. He will learn given time, but in the meantime any ideas for a little bit of edging.

We don't have an wood and don't want to buy any until we do proper raised beds.

?? :?:

dereklane · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2008, 09:13 »

I have a three year old and a five year old, and it seems to me they have an inability to see *any* edging. They walk about without even looking down. When they look down, they see dirt, not a garden... Telling them to walk on the grass seems to work, but there isn't so much of that there.

cheers,

Derek

Alex 98 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2008, 12:07 »

Electric fence.....

lucywil · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2008, 12:11 »

Quote from: "Alex 98"

Electric fence.....

that's funny!!! if only!!

senrab_nhoj · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2008, 12:45 »

Quote from: "Alex 98"

Electric fence.....

I was thinking land mines

dereklane · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2008, 13:06 »

Actually, where I grew up we did have plenty of electric fences around. You learn fast, even if there are copious tears the first time round. After that, you just feel silly...

I remember once as a kid thinking I'd outsmarted it, by wearning thick rubber shoes. I touched a live wire tentatively, no shock, so grabbed the next one down to climb through, and learnt about earths. Very educational.

vineweevil1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2008, 13:44 »

Hmmm I think I would be arrested for the electrocution of my son so I guess I will have to go with shouting, Owen - Noooo a million times a day.

Any other 'practical' suggestions?

lucywil · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2008, 14:03 »

have you thought about giving him his own little patch? my son is nearly 5 now but he was 2 when we got our first plot and he has always loved digging so he has his own bit where he can dig away as much as he likes

kezlou · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2008, 14:24 »

Hi there i'm sort having the same problem with my boys and there aged 7 and 4.
What seems to work for me is giving them a spade or trowel and letting them dig in another patch which is not being used. We did this in my fathers allottment within a month the whole plot had been dug other by the boys!

Another suggestion laborious i know is getting your son to collect twigs from around the park. Then encourage him to plant them around the edges of the raised bed, make it his "special job" to stop the slugs etc.
Just remind him at first not to stand on veggies and he'll prob avoid them like the plague.

The Pound shop in Middlesbrough is also selling 25 bamboo canes for a £1 you could maybe put them close together to deter him.

Who knows they might work. Sorry if my advice is useless.
Good luck

Kerry

vineweevil1 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2008, 14:38 »

thanks for the suggestions.

We do have some tools he can use but have yet to allocate him his own patch.

I think we are going to get him a sandpit also so hopefully these will keep him occupied!!!

Alex 98 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2008, 14:44 »

We built a couple of small raised beds for Alfie - has has dug and made mud pies in every bit of the plot except his beds - like Christmas, they play with the box and not the toy!

Alex 98

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