Morel Bed Fencing

April 15, 2008

Update: Be Sure to see my newly created Morel Mushroom Bed Protective Fence Video which takes you step-by-step through this phase of the construction.

Because wild critters are attracted to the scent of morels, I wanted to protect my investment of labor by constructing and installing sturdy protective fencing. Let’s face it, the most wonderful morel mushrooms are grown for human consumption, I’m not out to feed the raccoons of the neighborhood, at least not with foodstuffs that may cost as much as $5 an ounce.

To the left is how my first morel mushroom bed looks today, April 15, 2008. (The image is clickable to show a larger size image.) This morel bed was established last October. The vertical fence fabric is a special “Rabbit Fence” designed to keep the hungry/curious critter mouths and claws out. The Rabbit Fence material is substantial, 12 gauge I believe, it had to be cut with tin snips. The fabric on top is just chicken wire, low gauge and not very sturdy at all. I put the chicken wire on top to keep crap from falling into it, harmful large sized objects that may damage the growing mycelium underneath the ground. It is build of four separate panels; each panel has a relatively substantial green metal fence post on both ends. I essentially cut about 6 inches more length of Rabbit Fence fabric than the side of the mushroom bed, and simply folded a few inches over the fence post and used zip ties to secure the fabric to the posts. It has stood up very well, and it’s a method I’ll probably duplicate for any further planting beds I wish to protect in the future.

Here’s an image giving a closer view of the fence fabric/post construction and the joining of two adjacent panels:

I found that using nylon zip ties so much easier than scrambling with little bits of wire. I only used some wire to secure the chicken wire on top because, well, I ran out of zip ties and didn’t want to go buy more.

You’ll also see that I created even a stronger barrier at the bottom by lining the inside of the bed with a layer of bricks, laid down against the fence fabric. I did this to inhibit very curious paws/claws/snouts. There was a slight gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence. The few extra bricks around the house has worked well to secure this gap.

I purchased a 50 foot roll of this “Rabbit Fence” for about $25; the metal fence posts were about $2 each; the zip ties were $3 for 24. If you don’t have a pair of snips to cut the fabric, they’re about $8.

Posted in Morel Bed Construction, Videos