Outdoor Enclosure Progress

katieandiggy

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Hi all,

I am starting to build my outdoor enclosure for my Russian. He is currently in a kiddie pool but the new enclosure is going to be the permanent one.

This is what it currently looks like
IMG_2497.jpg
It measures around 16ft by 8.5ft

It’s going to be too large for my Russian at the moment as he is tiny so I plan to split it down the middle with breeze blocks. I may look to adopt another tortoise who needs rehoming.

I wanted to make this thread because I think it will help motivate me to dig this area over, I keep putting it off, and hopefully you guys can give me some ideas on planting and design.
 

katieandiggy

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I would really like some help on creating different textures and some ideas on good plants to plant eventually.
I’m planning on putting a small cold frame in there for the chillier mornings and maybe a large flower pot for some shade. The area has the morning sun first thing and as the day progresses the shade gradually moves over from the fence side until around 5pm when the whole area is in the shade.
 

Millerlite

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Looks like a lot of work, but fun work. Can't wait to watch the progression on this one

Kyle
 

katieandiggy

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It’s not looking much different at the moment lol
The weather here has been so hot the ground is like concrete.
Hopefully as soon as we have some rain I can get stuck in.
 

Susan E

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I'm currently building an enclosure for my Greek that is 14×5 ft, so a similar size. I'm planning to put in some hosta, petunia, and African violet for scenery and shade. I'm going to create some slopes and add stones, wood, and hay or straw to spots to keep it interesting for him. I look forward to seeing yours when it is done!

How are you making the cold frame?
 

katieandiggy

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I'm currently building an enclosure for my Greek that is 14×5 ft, so a similar size. I'm planning to put in some hosta, petunia, and African violet for scenery and shade. I'm going to create some slopes and add stones, wood, and hay or straw to spots to keep it interesting for him. I look forward to seeing yours when it is done!

How are you making the cold frame?

Hey, thanks for some good plant ideas.

I’m not sure if I will make it or buy one. My husband is in Iraq so I don’t have anybody around to build anything other than myself, and I’m rubbish. I have an idea of what I want I may just end up buying one straight from a garden shop and modify it slightly.
 

katieandiggy

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Ok it’s been almost 12 months since I updated this. I couldn’t dig the ground last year as we had such a hot summer the ground was like concrete.

Anyway, I’m 3/4 of the way finished with the enclosure fence. I hope to update this thread as I go.

IMG_0181.jpgIMG_0180.jpg

i need to touch up the paint work too
 

AliG

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Wow that looks amazing, I have a work in progress going on at the moment and trying to improve it month by month, but any suggestions welcome. My russian goes into his run in the morning and i bring him inside for the evening. good old British summer time not always predictable :)
 

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katieandiggy

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Wow that looks amazing, I have a work in progress going on at the moment and trying to improve it month by month, but any suggestions welcome. My russian goes into his run in the morning and i bring him inside for the evening. good old British summer time not always predictable :)

Mine is also a work in progress, haven’t even thought about the planting and any slopes/hills I’m going to build or how I’m going to do it.

I am particularly proud of myself though as I’m rubbish at DIY but I finally invested in the proper tools and I haven’t done a bad job [emoji18]
 

katieandiggy

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Wow that looks amazing, I have a work in progress going on at the moment and trying to improve it month by month, but any suggestions welcome. My russian goes into his run in the morning and i bring him inside for the evening. good old British summer time not always predictable :)

Could I see a close up of your cold frame? I need some ideas and I see you have some kind of tunnel?
 

AliG

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Hi, I will take some photos when i get home from work and post them to you asap
 

dmmj

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Looks great so far, make sure to cap those corners. (They are great escape artists)
 

katieandiggy

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Looks great so far, make sure to cap those corners. (They are great escape artists)

Thank you I will do, I need to cut those post ends off, I put them on the wrong way up as I couldn’t dig down any further. I have not lined the bottom with anything but I may line the inside edge with bricks, I guess it can’t hurt.
 

Jacqui

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How high is the top of the wall from the dirt?
 

katieandiggy

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How high is the top of the wall from the dirt?

Hi Jacqui each board is around 9inchs I think time I add some more soil it will eventually be around 14 inches, I’m planning on making some slopes but I will keep them more to the middle away from the fence.
 

katieandiggy

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Thank you!!

I’ve just lined all of the edges with bricks and I’m first going to get the cold frame and set it up and also the outdoor house/kennel which I will insulate.

Then I’ll be ready for planting, I can’t wait for mine to look established.
IMG_0213.jpg

All the outside is finished and painted and lined with bricks. Not bad for a 37 year old who is useless at DIY [emoji23]
 

AliG

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Also forgot to add, whilst doing this I managed to drive the screwdriver straight into my thumb right down to the bone. ‍♀️
Ouch ..... i am a 53 year old mum and with a little bit of manual labour help and adjustments and learning curvesome lol it has been fun. I am not brave enough to leave him out at night (bring him inside when I get home from work)
 
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