Need ideas for enclosing base of deck to prevent animals access
by
Jnet
+4
We would also like to prevent plant growth under deck. We have pea gravel under deck but around the edges plants have started to grow. The deck is about 2 to 3 feet high.
7 answers
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I would plant hosta all around the edges... grows back every year, keeps the weeds down, and looks great! (Or if you like to grow vegs... plant a row of Rhubarb all around. Tip: Rhubarb will keep growing all summer if you "pull" the stalks out, rather than cutting them.. the socket will grow a new stalk!!)
Mehartgallery
on Apr 22, 2015
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attach deck boards vertically at the base.
Samof5
on Apr 22, 2015
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@jnet the best thing to do is to frame in some lattice or chicken wire or as suggested above the vertical boards. You don't want critters to be making their way through plants to get under. We have the lattice framed and has been quite effective for the last 24 years.
Gail Salminen
on Apr 22, 2015
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could also use hardware cloth
Eileen Mangino
on Apr 23, 2015
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To keep out the critters and to keep it looking nice I would suggest some of the plastic lattice that you can find at most all of the big box stores. This would keep the critters out. Before you put it up, I would really suggest that you put a good layer of landscaping cloth (barrier) down to prevent the weeds from growing though. Then covering with the pea gravel. Attache one panel of the lattice with screws so that if needed you could get in and spray the area with a good ground clearing spray like Roundup once a year. Depending on your area you might want to watch what you use that gets in contact with the ground and that is the reason that I suggest the use of the plastic lattice. Here in the mid west and in Florida where we have homes, we also have termites that love to munch on most all woods that come in contact with the soils. Good luck on the project!
RICouple
on Apr 23, 2015
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I agree with Eileen about the hardware cloth. It has very a small enough grid that nothing can get through it. I would put it up then cover it with lattice for a decorative look maybe plant some hostas as Mehartgallery suggested to pretty it up.
Sherry Fram
on Apr 23, 2015
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I totally agree with sherry. Hardware cloth, disguised by lattice if desired, is the way to go. Most nuisance critters could get through the holes in lattice, and quite a few could get through chicken wire. Snakes, mice, and rats certainly could. Bleh!
BS
on May 04, 2015
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