Major outdoor pen

[aqh88]

Having expanded to my limit indoors the outdoor grazing pen is now seriously underway. 10'x10' it is going to be chainlink on the outside of the posts, fine mesh on the inside, bird netting over the top, bricks lining the inside to prevent digging under the boards, and I'm thinking of using pvc with mesh stretched over it for a swinging door. Door/gate suggestions are needed. I am going to seperate it into 4 or 5 2x3' areas for edible perennials and herbs leaving pathways of bluegrass. Every area will use grids as removeable fencing to control access so there is no overeating of anything.

Posts are up and one area is cleared for planting: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0107.jpg

I have so far chives, garlic chives, catnip, a few different types/flavors of mint, and day lillies waiting to be planted. Suggestions for edible perennials or self seeding low maintanence plants? I also have a post on a garden forum and I will cross post plant suggestions to make sure everything is both gp safe and will grow well in this location. I plan to section the plants by how much is appropriate for them to eat so that they can be allowed into each part accordingly. Currently I am looking for info on the edibility of buddleia davidii (butterfly bush).

Note- This is not an outdoor home. No matter how sturdy you make something guinea pigs should never be left outdoors overnight or while you are away. I am always outside working in the garden or training horses. The safety precautions for this pen are designed to prevent a tragedy in case of an accident or unforeseen danger. It is not meant to keep every predator out without supervision and it will not protect from weather extremes.

For anyone wondering I have been absent because my computer broke followed by the end of horse slaughter which has led to one colossal mess. Thousands of horses that noone has worked with have nowhere to go. I'm spending every afternoon helping to load untrained horses on trailers and handle them so that they are safe enough to at least be pets. I will not be here often until this situation improves.

[gpigluver14]

Sounds great! Please post pictures of it when you're done!? How many spoiled little pigs do you have?

[aqh88]

Only 3 pigs right now. So different from having 8+. I'm still not used to doing things on a small scale.

Current plant list (highly condensed from multiple pages of suggestions):

Mint section:
bee balm-Monarda fistulosa or Monarda didyma
lemon balm-Melissa officinalis
lemon mint-peppermint (mentha) variety
orange mint- Peppermint (mentha) variety

front section to be fed rarely:
snapdragon
nasturtium
chives
garlic chives

Back section for nearly unlimited grazing:
swiss chard
cilantro

More info on feeding frequency needed:
lavender- exact species not yet determined
Thymus serpyllum-creeping thyme
Thymus citriodorus-lemon thyme
anise
fennel
catnip

[aqh88]

Up goes the inside layer of mesh and another planting spot cleared.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0110.jpg



Now off to dog class.

[aqh88]

Outside chainlink and the chives are planted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0120.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0119.jpg

Kinda hard to see. I'll take pics of how it's all attached when I have time. Right now I'm running late for my martial arts class.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Looking good! I bet they are gonna love that!

[aqh88]

I ran out of compost or I would have gotten all the seeds in today. Still working on what to use for a gate.

Clockwise from the brick patio at the entrance: The little strip is going to be peppermint varieties, lemon and orange mint. Back left corner is thyme, fennel, and anise. Back right corner cilantro and swiss chard. The little strip on the right side with the grids and plastic has 3 catnip plants. The front right corner is chives, nasturtiums, and snapdragons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0137.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0131.jpg

I raked the ground, spread a bag of bluegrass seed, raked it again, and I'm waiting for the rain to start coming down and do my watering job for me.

[aqh88]

Nearly done. I'm picking up some netting tomorrow for the top and going over the pen for weeds and leaves then the pigs can start using it.

Here's the whole pen now. I've added some tunnels so far and I'm going to make some houses for them to hide in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0161.jpg

Plants:
Nasturtiums/chives/snapdragons:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0157.jpg

Fennel and creeping thyme, anise hasn't come up yet:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0153.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0154.jpg

Mints:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0152.jpg

Swiss chard just popping up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...n/SANY0148.jpg

[caviecrazie]

Parsley! You've gotta have parsley. Erm...do you have parsley?

[aqh88]

Parsley has to be reseeded every year which I'm trying to avoid. The only things currently that will need reseeded are cilantro and swiss chard and cilantro may seed itself. Those 2 can also be eaten in nearly unlimited amounts so they can be planted together giving me only 1 section that will need reseeded. Parsley cannot be fed as frequently and would need to be placed in a different section. Once it all establishes this will be a low maintenance garden with mostly hardy perennials or self seeding annuals that will just pop back up on their own every year.

[aNiMaLsAmArItAn]

Awesome! You are very devoted to your pigs!!

[PixieStix]

Really cool pen! Lucky pigs.

[ittybitty98577]

O_O thats soooo cool! Its really enspiring too! OHHHH ive been wanting to do an out door pen for a while now. I cant wait to see your pen all done and see your piggies in it! Thanks for sharing! ^_^