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Texas Gardening

something is digging up my plants

austinwildflower

16 years ago

hello there,

This year I did some massive landscaping changes and hundreds of new plantings and along with that have come some critters that are digging and munching. In particular they really like some of my baby seedlings of spring flowers, especially cornflower and sweet peas. The sweet peas are quite established now, having planted them in October, and are at least a foot tall so it's not as if they are a 'fresh' planting which is what I thought critters might actually want. But who knows--they're either squirrels, birds or cats. That's about all I have here. (I like to blame grackles for everything. Last year they built a nest right over my favorite wildflower 'bed' and pooped on my water pond every day.) Whatever they are, they are digging little holes... with the sweet peas they don't eat the top growth; it's as if they're trying to get at the roots and they've succeeded in a few cases, killing some of my plants. Any suggestions on how to keep them away?

thanks!

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Comments (6)

gardenspice
16 years ago
This won't work if it is birds, but I suspect squirrels (aka tree rats): Go to Wheatsville, or Costco or where ever you can buy bulk spices and get Cayenne pepper.
Sprinkle it liberally in the area that is being disturbed.
You will have to reapply if it ever rains again.
Good luck!
hitexplanter
16 years ago
I would guess it is armadillos looking for grubs and other critters in the roots. I placed large rocks around these newer planted plants and that did the trick for me. I of course have access to lots of rock seeing as I live on rock and digging is more the sound of a pick going ching ching and owie when ever I miss the mark:(
Good Luck and Happy Growing David
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I also have been going thru that,live out in country. One nite it was a skunk. We also have racoons and opposoms. If you live where ther is squirrels they will also dig. Good luck I know it was a skunk because we got a soluntion we put out and real sorry to say it kills the wild creatures but not dog or cats I am now trying d hot pepper
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A pruning saw (or any small saw) will cut through roots too thick for pruners. A small spade will cut better with your weight on it than a large wide one (the stiletto heel principle). Then rock the plant from side to side- and cut more roots underneath it. How about inviting some friends round for a gardening party (a bit like a paint party when you get them to help decorate the house), and you provide the refreshments. Tell them it's a "green gym".
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ltcollins1949
16 years ago
I agree with the armadillos! They like to dig up around plants.
austinwildflower
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks all, I'll try the cayenne...
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
16 years ago
Squirrels around here dig holes in the flower pots and beds to bury pecans and acorns. I wonder if they remember where they put them and ever get around to retrieving them as there are sure a lot of tree seedlings that come up in pots every spring!

Sprinkling hot pepper on the soil as mentioned above does help to deter them. I use a product called called Squirrel Away. It's sold at garden centers to keep squirrels out of bird feeders. I'll have to check on the price of cayenne at Costco as opposed to Squirrel Away next time I go.

Squirrels are cute and I enjoy them, but sometimes they are pesky little creatures like when they knock pots over as they jump around. Not only that, but I suspect that it was them that ate all the flowers off of my Christmas cactus when I sat it outside one day to get some light!

Here is a link that might be useful: Squirrel Away
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
16 years ago
Cayenne pepper is $2.19 for 8.5 ounces at Costco. Squirrel Away is $3.00 for 1.5 ounces for capsicum pepper. I think probably capsicum is quite a bit hotter, but for sprinkling on top of pots and soil cayenne would work.

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