Gardener's Group discussion

Does anyone else have critter issues such as raccoons possums and or moles? Thinking of buying critter trap for relocation purposes. Any other ideas? Im currently growing i containers indoors but may venture out into backyard if critters were under control.

I have concluded one (me anyway) can either have nice looking beautiful flowers on the deck or live not in a wooded area.

Relocation when there are dozens (seems like hundred) of raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks to name but a few who dilligently mine/bury in the flower pots is impractical, at least for me. Largish rocks in the containers around the plants helps, but does not cure.

I have resigned myself to having pretty flowers in large containers in the front of the house where the animals do not seems such a problem and just feeding the birds and critters on the deck in the back of the house.

BUT I have probably a dozen hanging baskets under the eves on the deck and use squirrel baffles about them if necessary. They don't seem too much interested in ferns, philodendrons, etc. so I buy those and have given up on flowering baskets (too much shade anyway and they seem much more interesting to burrowing creatures).

Squirrel baffles are available from Best Nest (I have no financial interest in them at all, just like them) in green metal that last for years and are not hideous to look at and seem to thwart even the most determined squirrels.


I guess that isn't much help Joel and I wish you all the luck. If you figure out a way, I'd love to hear it! But in the end, I enjoy watching the critters enough to leave the deck to them.

Joel wrote: "Does anyone else have critter issues such as raccoons possums and or moles? Thinking of buying critter trap for relocation purposes. Any other ideas? Im currently growing i containers indoors but m..."

Yea, I have all the critters listed above. One can put a garden fence in, chicken wire needs to be 6 inches below the ground and out 12 inches in an L shape. A burrowing animal will often approach the fence and start to dig and will run into the wire. At one foot from the top of the fence, an electric wire will stop them from climbing.

One can put chicken wire around each plant or container.

Otherwise a shotgun will also work (if your area permits it).

Well last summer a groundhog ate my whole garden. He took a bite out of every tomato, ate the leaves off all the green bean plants, took lots of bites out of the cucumbers. Solution: rescued a dog from Prison! She is a retriever and already tracking through all the snow! Cant wait to see results! :)

Congratulations on your new gardening friend! She's very, very cute and I'm sure she'll help with your groundhog problem.

What a beauty! and a lucky little girl. My kitties are all rescue babies and there are none better.

Re your reading goals, truncated: Remember, it's a journey, not a race.

When my little Yorkie was a puppy, he would go down those rabbit and groundhog holes. I would like freak out and run and get a shovel and by the time I came back the little Rat (I ment to say yorkie) would be coming out of the hole. My little Yorkie is around ten pounds now and bit too big to go down the proverbial - go down the rabbit hole.

My little little yorkie kills about 3-4 mice a month that I know of. He knows enough not to mess with chickens and barn cats. It amazes me that raccoons and possums are frightened of the little dog and his loud barking. I am amazed that the hawks will go after my chickens and never once attacked the little dog.

If I hear coyotes at night I will not let him out at after dark.

Thanks for your Yorkie story, Mickey. (He's very cute too!) We have two Chihuahua mixes (one is part terrier) and they are useless with mice. Tulio (chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix) barks at the squirrels, but I think they laugh at him. He also goes after houseflies. He's very fierce with them. Chancho (the terrier mix, the one you think would go after a mouse) will walk right by one. I'm a little reluctant to take them hiking sometimes . . . because of the hawks. :) With the composting I do, and the vegetable garden, we really could use a mouser!

Thanks Sandra! This will be her 2nd week with me and love her already. I'm sure she be a gardening asset too!

Oh, Lesle, I'm so happy you found her!

Thanks MissJessie! Congrats on your rescues! Unfortunately I am so allergic to Kitties. Love looking at them from afar though! :)

I miss having a dog but I live on a busy street where we lost 3 dogs and 2 cats over the years and I just can't go through that again. Now I only have 2 cats and they are not allowed outside, although the big one did push out a screen one day and landed on the porch. He had no idea what to do and just sat there until I ran out and picked him up.

My oldest daughter and granddaughter just rescued and 2 year old dog and they are thrilled with her. She's very well behaved and adores all the attention she gets. I think rescues are great!

Cheryl S. I had a chocolate lab for 14 yrs, she passed away 3 yrs ago...until now I have had no pets, didnt think any dog could hold up to Athena, but Luna is wonderful, came with all the pluses and just loves everyone and every toy! I did not realize how much I missed one in my life. My first rescue and I have to agree with you whole heartedly!!!

Lesle wrote: "Cheryl S. I had a chocolate lab for 14 yrs, she passed away 3 yrs ago...until now I have had no pets, didnt think any dog could hold up to Athena, but Luna is wonderful, came with all the pluses an..."

I especially love labs. I had a collie when I was a kid but all our dogs after that were labs. One of my friends has a lab named Lucy who I dog sit for once in a while and she's great. Always happy to see me, ready to play and sleeps with her head on my feet.

Cheryl S.:

We had several different types when growing up but, Labs are the best and love you with no hesitation! Awesome that you get to dog sit Lucy!