A SERIOUS APPEAL FOR A RESOURCEFUL AND BRAVE ENTREPRENEUR

For years, I have tried to find an implement which, it strikes me, would be a must for any gardener with a lawn and which, astonishingly, does not exist.

I don’t know whether or not, it would meet some of the golden rules of business, but:

Is there a need? – Yes!

Is there competition - ? (apparently, not)

Would there be a sufficient demand – Yes!

Would it be manufacturable at a reasonable cost - ?

The implement I am referring to is a lightweight, reasonably sized, inexpensive, easily stackable protector for lawn repairs.

What with the trials and terrors of green-creeping, pigeons, squirrels, foxes, etcetera, all lawn repairs are, until the seeds have taken, highly vulnerable to repeated damage, especially during the night (*).

I have come up with various solutions (an obsolete boiler flue protector, old gas fire grill, plastic grid secured with skewers) but they are clumsy, time-consuming, and difficult to store:




Would any of you either have (or know someone who has) the facilities to manufacture and distribute a super-lightweight, but resistant equivalent to a supermarket basket (made of thin but strong wire) following the model below (given dimensions subject to discussion)?


(*) these precautionary measures are less necessary during the day (if anyone is at home) and, if designed as above, can easily and quickly be store away early in the morning (if early risers [La journée appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt!]) so that the sight of the lawn can still be enjoyed without the visual interruption of the protectors, and then — again, quickly and easily — be repositioned in the evening, so that one can sleep sur les deux oreilles.

 

In the past, I've had great success with propagator lids. Not only do they prevent the local blackbirds from nicking the seeds or scratching about looking for bugs in the soil, but also the prevent moisture loss. Where my method falls slightly short of your design remit is they don't stay put unless you weigh them down with a stone or lump of wood, or maybe you could peg them down with metal tent pegs.

 

I'd just borrow some supermarket baskets and return after use.
I would suggest having a spike at each corner and one halfway along each side to push into the ground.

 

And supermarket trolleys for larger areas.

 

I've always used birdcage tops and/or hamster cage tops scavenged from the tip. Not just to protect the lawn (lawn, what lawn??) but any newly-planted treasures. Same principle for cat-food dishes. Our minous like to eat al-fresco in summer but the magpies have cottoned on and developed a taste for Felix sachets. I bought three cheapie plastic sieves, chopped off the handles and voilà! Instant protection against flies, birds, snakes etc. etc.. The impressive bit is that the cats learnt how to hook them off within days. Training is ongoing regarding replacement after eating
ETA: To get back on topic, any fairly stiff wire mesh, chicken wire etc. ferait bien l'affaire....

 

I can see Tesco going a bundle on having a stack of muddy, dusty baskets dumped on the doorstep in the middle of the night.....

 

I would of course clean them before returning them.

 

I am currently using propagator lids (Stackable and reasonably cheap) with a couple of hooks hammered in to keep them from blowing away.

 

Off the peg!1
See:
The House Nameplate Company White Brass Letter cage (H)350mm (W)300mm (D)150mm | DIY at B&Q

 

That’s bang on the right track, but would be perceived as expensive; thank you.
Although, for the purpose in hand, far too much metal is being used here (environmentally unfriendly);
something along those lines using thinner wire and stackable would be perfect: purpose-built, it would let air, rain, light, and wind through (*), but NOT the attackers.

The implicit question was: Is there an entrepreneur among you ready to tackle the challenge and be richly rewarded for it? Even though my wife disagrees, I am prepared to finance the manufacturing process to the tune of a first order (on delivery) of twenty stackable cages at £5 each.
(*) which many of the above-suggested gadgets don’t.

Why can I not edit the title of this thread which has an “n” too many? Can you get rid of the “n” for me, oisette?
(*) which many of the above-suggested gadgets don’t.

 

o, sorry...I'm ot a Mod Are you related to Laura Norder at all? I'd love to help, but there's a chronic shortage of metal here at the moment and the end result quite probably wouldn't get through UK customs
ETA: Looking at your design again, it's an in-tray! They should be widely available now from abandoned offices all over the country......

 

What about upside down dish draining racks, secured with tent pegs? This one (which I haven’t used in the garden) cost £1.99.