A post hole digger mounted to Marc’s John Deere tractor did the job perfectly.
Photos by Marc LaBossiere / Winnipeg Free Press
The mesh fencing quarantines the fire pit area and provides great shelter from the wind.
After moving to my property tree-planting became an on-going ritual. Primarily along the perimeter, rows of trees were planted in an effort to create a shelter belt to lessen the effects of wind. Although many of the trees did mature, the growth rate has been very inconsistent, and appears as such along the north and south boundaries of the property. Moreover, attempts to plant a semi-circle array of foliage around the fire pit area were abandoned seven seasons ago — all efforts at creating a sheltered area near the fire-pit proved unsuccessful and it had become disheartening and seemingly futile.
In recent years, an eight-foot high fence line has been established along strategic areas of the north and south boundaries which has for the most part, aided in controlling the volume of wind and the snow drifting that occurs during the winter months. The fence sections consist of 6×6 posts, with wind-mesh panels that lessen the wind speed by 70 per cent. Hence, the drifting rate is greatly lowered allowing a reasonable time-frame to tackle any ensuing drifting that occurs. It is even quite noticeable during the summer months, while walking in the yard along these fence sections — the wind is greatly reduced, and this got me thinking about the fire-pit area once again.
In lieu of planting foliage, why not create a mesh-fence line in the desired semi-circle?
Until abandoning the idea seven years ago, I tried several types of trees and shrubs: cedars, junipers, and even blue spruce — all perished within two years of planting. And although they had all been planted properly, and watered regularly, I suspect the harshness of the winter winds over the six-month period and the openness of the area simply would not cater to successful growth. Having noticed that the trees along the recently introduced sections of mesh fencing on the property boundaries had benefitted from the wind reduction, it seemed reasonable to me that an attempt to plant foliage inside a semi-circle of mesh fencing at the fire pit area could also work to promote successful growth of new trees.
With the layout of prior tree planting attempts still visible in the manner of divots along the ground, the 15 holes in a semi-circle (at every seven feet) were augered using a post hole digger mounted to my John Deere 3046R, for impending 4×4 posts. Once the holes were accomplished to a depth of roughly three and a half feet, the 10-foot posts were countersunk and set to plumb using quarter down limestone, packed while wet. Withing a few days, the posts were rigid. To ensure the tops of the posts are cut properly to a consistent height, a laser-level was used to pre-mark the posts. The posts were then cut using a circular saw at a height that allowed a slight gap between the bottom edge of the 60-inch wind mesh, and the ground at its highest elevation along the semi-circle array. The wind mesh was then mounted using half-inch staples, as the mesh was stretched tightly from post to post. The exposed mesh with staples along each post was then concealed using 2x4s cut to five feet lengths. Once the mesh was fully secured along the entire partial circumference, solar LED post caps were installed on the tops of every post.
In keeping with my love for planting trees despite several negative attempts, heartier pine trees were planted within the semi-circle mesh fencing. Inset from the front edge of both sides, seven Black Hills spruce were placed seven feet from the mesh, at roughly eight-foot spacing creating a buffer between the fire-pit and chairs, and the mesh fencing. Incredibly, the first bonfire we made was during a nominally windy day, a day that would not usually have allowed a fire — on the open prairie, even the smallest breezes can be too much. However, the bonfire ablaze, the smoke rose nearly straight upwards, and only began to shift with the wind as the plume surpassed the height of the mesh fence. And while sitting next to the fire, the area truly feels like an “outdoor space” within the semi-circle enclosure — a backyard sanctuary many years in the making. As such, we’ve had more bonfires this season than we’ve had in the past seven years combined.
This just happens to be the 364th Reno Boss column. Coincidentally, writing about the success of finally achieving a sheltered area around my firepit after having abandoned the idea seven seasons ago, also commemorates a full seven years of writing this column for the Free Press. It has been an extremely enjoyable experience sharing my many escapades as a builder and renovator, and very much appreciate the on-going interest and emails I receive from readers. It has been a privilege to share my experiences with you.
RenoBoss.Inc@outlook.com
