Outdoor enclosure

[CinSonoma]

Hi, new here!

We have recently rescued a 3 year old tort from a friend. It’s definitely male, we think a Russian.

We’re planning an outdoor enclosure for him in this spaceView attachment 302834
What advice would you give on boundaries please? Am I safe assuming That the walled areas will have suitable foundations to avoid digging out? Obviously, will need to address the grass edge. What is best please?
Any other UK weather appropriate tips welcome!

We dug down along the fence line and put 1/4” (heavy) wire (roll was 50’ long by 4’ high) about 8” into the ground. Since we had many bricks, we lined enough up to stretch along the bottom edge of the wire all 50’. Then covered the trench back with soil. Our ground is mostly dirt with plantings of edible greens like arugula and chard along one side of the enclosure (we live in northern California). The drip system keeps everything watered and also drips into two shallow plant saucers for water (which I never see our Russian nor her friend an Eastern Box turtle using).

 

[DaVinci]

We dug down along the fence line and put 1/4” (heavy) wire (roll was 50’ long by 4’ high) about 8” into the ground. Since we had many bricks, we lined enough up to stretch along the bottom edge of the wire all 50’. Then covered the trench back with soil. Our ground is mostly dirt with plantings of edible greens like arugula and chard along one side of the enclosure (we live in northern California). The drip system keeps everything watered and also drips into two shallow plant saucers for water (which I never see our Russian nor her friend an Eastern Box turtle using).

Thank you. We discovered that there is netting under the area already about an inch/half - two inches down. We’ve re-chosen a spot in the garden that gets early sun until mid eve but providing shady areas. We just need to landscape the substrate now & put all the bits back in. I’m nervous of leaving him out overnight at the moment. So utilising it more of a daytime pen. I feel like I have a new child. So much pressure to get it right! ?

 

[CinSonoma]

Thank you. We discovered that there is netting under the area already about an inch/half - two inches down. We’ve re-chosen a spot in the garden that gets early sun until mid eve but providing shady areas. We just need to landscape the substrate now & put all the bits back in. I’m nervous of leaving him out overnight at the moment. So utilising it more of a daytime pen. I feel like I have a new child. So much pressure to get it right! ?

I know...I have no indoor accommodations and was worried going into last winter. But they both seem to be fine. I really would like to take them to a reptile vet to be checked out. Guessing that’s never happened. They are 25 + years.

 

[DaVinci]

For anyone interested. Here’s our almost finished enclosure. We don’t leave him out when cold, or overnight and he seems happy. Would love to give him a permanent outside home with heating & basking but taking it one step at a time. Any feedback would be great. Be nice, we really are wanting to give him a good life. Thanks. ?