Groundhog issues....
flipped
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
yng_grdnr
16 years agooldroser
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Unhappy surprise today...groundhog in my yard.
Comments (29)I live on a farm in VA and have finally had to give in and allow someone to come shoot these guys. I quite love them, and have huge respect for the grand daddy, who has lived at this farm longer than I have, surviving total bulldozing of the old garden, complete rebuilding of the old farm house (under which he also used to live) and my 2 Border Collies. Besides, they remind me of my beloved Lhasa Apso who has passed away. HOWEVER, I've been living here for 10 years and starting 2 years ago, the GH (who has since created quite an impressive giant condo complex under a pile of old wood from the old razed barn) finally started annihilating my garden. Despite what some people here have posted I can tell you, they are quite smart & have a keen sense of hearing. GHs live in burrows underground (like a cave). It always has more than one entrance/exit. They generally come out early in the morning and at sunset. I have an entire wire cattle fence, along with electric hot wire all along the entire bottom perimeter of my fence to keep my dogs in (who like to constantly dig under and run away whenever they hear thunder, gun shots or just feel like it!). This hot wire is set for the highest level of shock, and will keep a horse or bull away! This is only 1 foot away from the GH woodpile den. My garden is inside this fence and then inside yet another fence, which is also hot wired at the ground level. Yet, the GHs know full well how to go around the fence, burrow under the fence, whatever. All I know is they have started again eating every tomato I have that starts to ripen and will absolutely take every melon we are growing. And they could care less about my Border Collies who know the word "Ground Hog" and will dive and dig at the hole if you say that to them. The GH just goes somewhere in his condo complex and doesn't give a hoot. I should say though that my 2 dogs are 2 goofy lovebugs and routinely take their balls & toys to the cows and any other critter in hopes they will play, and would never hurt any little critter intentionally (unlike most farm dogs.) If they did encounter the GH, they'd probably offer him a tomato. After years of only seeing the old grand daddy GH, last week I saw him showing the ropes to a little one. Last night my farm tenant came over with a high powered rifle and shot the old guy, but also said he saw another giant one (probably the mom) and a smaller one. There is likely a huge family under there. It made me feel guilty and wistfully sad, but at the end of the day, not only would I be fighting a losing battle of the garden, wild animals carry disease, fleas, ticks with Lyme, if cornered they have huge claws & fangs, and the holes they dig can cause someone (or my dogs or cows) to break their leg. If you are going to try a humane trap (which I did), they are extremely smart and you will have a long wait and will have to create the trap to mimic a hollow den or they are not dumb enough to go into a metal contraption - LOL! I agree with the hunters posting above that if you are going to shoot at it, get someone who knows what they are doing and will kill the animal humanely and put him out cleanly. Shooting at him with a BB gun is cruel, as it will not kill him, just cause wounds, suffering and illness. Hope this helps! Now I'm also on the case of the bunnies, voles and whatever is now eating all my blackberries! ARGH! LOL!!!!...See MoreGroundhog Day
Comments (1)Up front, I'm single so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I think there were a lot of advantages to this while I was building because I could just pick what I wanted but it also meant that I didn't have anyone to bounce ideas off of. Anyway, there are a couple of different 'management techniques' that you could use. 1) narrow a selection down to 3 or 4 alternatives and ask him to pick one 2) select the one that you want and give him a timeframe to veto otherwise the choice stands 3)give up on him making decisions and make them yourself...if he doesn't like them then he can speak up. That said, from what I hear, building is extremely stressful on relationships and I can offer you no advice in that area....See MoreIt's Groundhog Day...again
Comments (29)Thanks for explaining. That helps put it in better perspective. I'm surely no authority on marriage having been married more than once myself. Keeping in mind this is just MY own experience. When I started a relationship with someone who was a good fit at the time AND there was also a lot of physical attraction, when we hit the dry or rough spots (as is the case in all relationships), we always got through it stronger. When I had married a good guy who in hindsight was more a pal than soulmate, it didn't last. Whatever passion was lacking also extended to our non romantic interactions (trying to be delicate!). I tried to break off the engagement because I felt I was settling, but he pleaded and I was very young. Ironically, he ended up wanting that "you light up my life" relationship and asked for a divorce. At this point I guess you just need to develop some more outside interests? DH and I too have a lot of time together, but honestly we are really used to that. We commuted and worked together for years so we are really good at yours, mine and ours time. Sometimes I will just go out for the day. Hit the library and read all the magazines, have lunch alone or even a movie (fortunately I like my own company), power walk the mall when it's too hot outside. Just fake it til you make it if you aren't interested in joining any clubs or doing volunteer work. Is your daughter nearby? Mine lives far away but even before she had kids, I'd take off on my own for a few days and go visit. Even if she's at school or at work, there's exploring to very done. I wish you the best!!!...See MoreVeggie Tales - June 2017
Comments (348)We had storms overnight and I was pleased when I checked the garden this morning that 1) there was about 1.25" of rain in the rain gauge; 2) there was no damage from the wind. The garden looked pretty happy this morning, and I was tickled to see that the beans that I planted just a few days ago are already sprouting. At this time of summer I am always thankful for a good soaking rain. May you all be lucky enough to get periodic rains throughout the summer....See Morephilomena
16 years agoUser
16 years agophilomena
16 years agonygardener
16 years agolagrangeny
16 years agodearjane
16 years agosusanzone5 (NY)
16 years agoGca23
12 years agolam702
12 years agogreenhouseman
11 years ago
Related Stories
LANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape
Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Design Your Landscape to Slow Down Water
Putting the brakes on stormwater runoff is the first step in sustainable water design
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTop 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama
Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROSHow to Hire the Right Architect: Comparing Fees
Learn common fee structures architects use and why you might choose one over another
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BIRDSWild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life
How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESButterfly Gardening: Delight the Eyes With Living Sculptures
Surprise and thrill with a garden that attracts magical winged creatures, bringing color, movement and life
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESCool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Chard
A year-round garden favorite with a colorful stem, Swiss chard comes into its own in early spring and in fall
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARD10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers
These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Spigelia Marilandica
Indian pink is a top hummingbird plant for shady sites
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
corapegia