Sheila’s Most Wanted
July 13, 2012
We are inundated with small mammals this year. My guess is that the mild winter did not kill off the less hardy of the populations. They are just chewing through the plastic deer netting surrounding the greenhouse and have eaten almost everything this Spring and Summer, leaving only the onions, shallots, garlic, potatoes, herbs and Swiss chard.
The capture count stands at 7 ground hogs, 5 raccoons, 3 possums and 1 large rabbit. There is at least 1 more medium-sized ground hog out there – Lewis says there are hundreds, but I will remain optimistically naive and plant some late tomatoes. Oh, and I’ll be praying for rain.
July 13, 2012 at 9:30 am
Fight the good fight mom, eventually you’ll be able to grow something I hope.
July 13, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Thanks, love.
July 13, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Sheila,
Mary fron New Hope who took the Tuscan cooking class. The critters have eaten all here too, despite fencing. They ate or destroyed our cucumbers, peas, beans, berries, some tomato leaf damage, and Swiss chard. I was inspired from your class to plant sorrel and borage and they got that too. The only crops surviving are basil, peppers, some tomatoes and parsley and only because they had top fences well. Frustration puts its mildly!!!!!!!! One day I saw something move and their were 8 baby bunnies in my garlic!
July 13, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Mary, Can’t believe they ate your chard. Although deer would eat mine if they could get to it. This trapping and transporting is beginning to feel like a full time job – and no vegies for all of the work. Baby bunnies in the garlic; now that’s intrepid! Good luck.
July 15, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Hello Sheila,
We have deer doing the same – here in Hellertown!! We are about a mile from wooded area and they have made there way to our neighbor hood. Beans gone, tomatoes chewed, etc..
We are trying the stinky soap trick and I also placed liquid fence around twice! The 18″ fence for the bunnies just didn’t keep the deer out!
July 16, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Everyone seems to be in the same boat this year. We’re getting a groundhog or raccoon every day. I saw a large chicken wire cage that I might have Lewis construct to cover my 4×4 beds. Then maybe I can put in some fall crops. Now I’m hoping for a severe winter – go figure!