discharge across three strands of heavy-gauge wire, which was strung on fencing surrounding the garden. Thick, head-high brush allowed the stakes to virtually disappear, and the wiring was invisible until you were right upon it. Contact with the wires would deliver enough electricity to knock down a full-grown man down, and keep him down for a minute.

Getting the system installed and de-bugged took 3 full days of bust-ass work, but the bear tracks stayed on the outside of the fencing. Getting in and out of the patch was accomplished by disengaging the electricity via insulated and grounded handles that serves as the final connection in the system, and the stinkiness of growing herb in June and July gave way to a different kind of smell as August became September.

With the exception of the Sun, Wind, and Water, every force is working against you when you plant out in the bush. The key is to act quickly. If you dawdle around for a couple of days hoping the problem will go away, you might lose everything. Nature is ruthless and can come as a 350lb bear or a 10” wood rat. Work hard, maybe some good luck, and you can prevail, growing epic plants and enjoying the satisfaction that comes with another
year's grow.