#%^^(()^!@ turkeys!

10 years ago

We've been lucky up til now that the turkeys hadn't invaded. I think they've found us!
The 2 winter beds I just planted were torn up today. Sometimes the wind will blow the tule off the area, or a cat will get in and dig a little hole, but this time everything was torn up! Bricks moved, tule torn completely off, soil everywhere! The funny thing is, they didn't eat the tomatoes etc that are growing in the garden!
We chased some away yesterday, but the problem is the neighbors behind us haven't been around and everything on that side is open fields.
I suppose I could get a scarecrow set-up, but they're pretty expensive, aren't they? Besides, all the cats and probably us would get it several times a day!
Any other suggestions? I really don't want to make tents of wire to keep them out! Nancy

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Comments (17)

sweetquietplace
10 years ago
I have raccoons that do that...even roll big stones out of the way when they're looking for grubs and worms. They can really tear up the garden. They turn over the soap water bucket that I use to give swimming lessons to the slugs. The raccoons love these little morsels.
ceth_k
10 years ago
I can't think of a better solution than a wire fence. It is a shame Christmas is not due for a couple of months .
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seysonn
10 years ago
Trap them for thanksgiving dinner. hmmm
sunnibel7 Md 7
10 years ago
Turkeys around here are pretty shy birds that usually see us before we see them, and they are easily spooked. Did all of this happen when no one was home? Did you find turkey tracks? Are you sure it wasn't crows (less easily spooked)? Anyway, I would try some of the basic bird scaring devices first- pie tins on strings, pinwheels, mylar streamers, etc. Maybe leave a radio on nearby. How well any of these deterrants work really depends on how much the perpetrators want to get back into the garden. Were they after seeds? Transplants? Water? A handy dust bath? Just passing through? If you figure out what they were doing, then maybe you can make another spot more attractive and your garden less so... Good luck!
wertach zone 7-B SC
10 years ago
The scarecrow sprinklers are only about $50, you would probably spend more on that than wire.

Mine keep the deer and turkeys out of my garden.
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
I'll try sunnibel's ideas first. Then I'll go for the scarecrow after that.
Luckily I have plenty of time to replant. I have a roll of harware cloth I can put over the beds temporarily. Thanks, Nancy
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, I hit up the dollar store today after replanting.
I have shiny happy birthday garland strung up all over with CDs glittering in the sun and streamers blowing around. I also got a few Halloween pinwheel spinning around. Quite festive! LOL I hope it works! Nancy
sunnibel7 Md 7
10 years ago
I think we need a picture of your sparkling garden! Lol. Wertach, where do you find the $50 scarecrow sprinkler? I don't need one now, but it would be good to have one to hand for future problems.
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
I don't do pics yet! It's one of my retirement projects, though!
I just looked out and everything looks to be in order! Nancy
wertach zone 7-B SC
10 years ago
I got mine from Amazon sunnibel7.

Contech CRO101 Scarecrow, $48.23 & FREE Shipping.
sunnibel7 Md 7
10 years ago
Thanks, awesome!
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
Good to know on the scarecrow!
With all of my shiny stuff, something got into the garden AGAIN! This time we were off camping for a week and I found turkey poop on the deck!
Nothing for the last week and a half since we've been home!
I usually just use the 2 beds that got trashed for my winter garden. Things got so mixed up, I don't know what is grass/weeds/veges! LOL I'm moving my winter beds to a different couple of beds and will just wait and see what comes up in these beds! Who knows! I might end up with a double winter garden! Nancy
Donna
10 years ago
Count me as another big fan of scarecrows. I have three of them around my garden. They keep out deer, rabbits, cats, you name it. You do need a good quality hose for each one, nine volt battery that will last about 3 months must be replaced occasionally, and you must keep the water on all the time to the system. I am able to power three through one spigot with a triple spigot attachment.

It took me awhile to figure out that the little button on the back of the head is for the purpose of turning it off and on. You want to turn it off before you go even one step into the garden. And you MUST turn it back on when you leave.

You'd be surprised how long it took me to get that all straight! :)

But, I have not had a midnight raid in two years.
gallery725
10 years ago
You may also try a bamboo deer scare. In my experience with turkeys this should work with them too. Here's one on amazon for less than $65. Plus they look nice too :-)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007BVPHTU

Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo Deer Scare
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
Midnight, does the Deer Scare spray water? It kinda looks like a fountain. Nancy
gallery725
10 years ago
Nancy- yes it is actually a fountain, it does not spray water but rather works like a see saw and when one side fills up with water it drops down and hits the bamboo under making a somewhat loud thump (depending on the size of course) it scares deer and most likely turkeys with sounds they are not used to hearing in your garden.
nancyjane_gardener
Original Author
10 years ago
Donna! LOL! A bit of a shower til you learned about the turn off button, huh? Heck It'll keep the cats out also! Nancy

#%^^(()^!@ turkeys!

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#%^^*(*()^!@ turkeys!

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