As stated, a simple solution for keeping pests out of your garden involves building your own clamshell mesh cover by cutting ¾ or ½-inch PVC pipes into pieces long enough to stretch over your bed.

Here’s a fun project that would make a perfect parent-child activity for a rainy afternoon. Use a 45-degree PVC elbow for a four-inch inside diameter (ID) pipe.

Steel pipes are about 20% more expensive than their PVC alternatives, so the latter is the clear winner on that front. Of course, metal pipes are going to be stronger than plastic.

The key is PVC. All that you need to build this set is about 100 feet of schedule 40 PVC pipe, a few fittings and caps, a small quantity of particle board and plastic laminate, canvas, glue and nails.

The project is made from 50 feet of Schedule 40 PVC pipe plus 16 elbow joints and 18 tee joints. Canvas and cushions, a small piece of particle board, glue and paint (the pipe can be painted any ...