Kids, Privacy, and Chain Link Fences

So Tracy asked me this morning, “We are having a privacy fence installed near the end of summer.  What grows quickly and will provide some privacy and coverage in the meantime?”

Well, here is what I say.  Forget the wisteria.  Forget the trumpet vines.  Forget Clematis.  Completely forget Climbing Hydrangea.  Forget the English Ivy.

Instead:  Look for twining and climbing ‘no-brainers’.

I like the veggie vines for this family. . .  Here is why.  Tracy has two kids and at least one dog and a chain link fence.  The current chain link fence sits in pretty much full sun – GREAT!

Now, she can start seeds inside (under proper conditions) 8 weeks ahead of time.  That means NOW!!!!!  That’s a great way to introduce kids to horticulture.  It’s also expensive when coupled with the proper lighting and soil.

Unfortunately, most kids lose interest with the entire ‘germination’ process.  Let’s be honest . . .  so do the parents.  Plus, the plants end up being weak and who the hell has time to ‘harden them off”. . .  (hardening off means putting the little sprouts in full light and outdoors for a couple hours the first day, a few more the second and so on and so on until they are ready to spend the duration of their life outside).  Everybody is a little too busy these days for that sort of Martha Stewart luxury . . . .

They are inexpensive, and “prete -a -planter” (ready to plant)    Of course, you will lose the ‘nurture- effect’ of growing from seed but by the end of the season you will gain the ‘harvest-effect’.  Planting seeds and picking are the two chores kids like so buy a packet of seeds.  If they die then just go out and get the healthy plants for planting . . .

So Prepping the bed…  easy!

First, find a place along that fence that gets at least six hours of sun each day for a vegetable vine to thrive.  Easy!
Second, be sure that the soil is good mix of organic matter, reasonably free of stones and moisture retentive.  If you have clay, add compost and sand.  If it’s too sandy add compost.  Easy!
Third, always mulch (and you can even use grass clippings, newspaper or shredded fall leaves).  You will warm the soil and save water, both of which ensure bountiful crops.  Easy!

Next:  Choose your vines . . .

All vining veggies love heat.  They are in the family of (Cucurbitaceae).  That just means cucumbers.  Their flowers are both male and female.  That means, if you do not have enough bees, just dip your fingers inside each flower, get some pollen on them and dip your fingers into the other flowers.  There is lots of room here for fun, but I will just call it ‘hand-pollinating’.  It works.

Last, choose your vines:

*    Vining beans
*    Cucumbers
*    Pumpkins (yes they will be fine on a chain-link fence)
*    Cantaloupe (needs lots of diligent watering)
*    Gourds (very fun – go on-line to see which ones are best for you.  I like birdhouse gourds so     that the kids can  . . . .  ummmmmm make birdhouses out of them . . .. .  It’s a fun winter project!
*    Squash
*    Watermelon – (needs lots of diligent watering)
*    Morning Glory (no fruit but EASY!!!!)
*    Moon Flowers (no fruit but EASY!!!)

Hope that some of these ideas are handy.  Really, making a chain link fence into a trellis for food and/or flowers is a great idea!!!!  Try it and then send me pics. .. .

Garden Well,

E

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