If the plants were mature and heads were forming I don't think a rabbit would take out entire plants. It sounds like the work of a hungry groundhog to me. They are tricky to deter because they can dig.

Groundhog is NOT out of the question. The raised beds are made out of 2x4 material and there's a pathway surrounding the beds. And you're right. Rabbits wouldn't likely be able to eat that much that quickly. Will look at groundhog deterrents.

12 gauge works well for me as I am in a rural area. They are daytime feeders.

LOL. In the city. And I work for a living so I can't stand around 24x7 protecting the plants. Groundhogs live under the neighbors deck. They can't do anything to keep them out from there. I'm mildly optimistic that the ~3' high fence kept whatever it was out of the plants. Unfortunately, that included me. Maybe I'll have to build some sort of fencing about the beds. Will likely be a PITA though due to the shape of the beds. :) Anyone have any luck with a repellent?

Might have to look at getting a larger Havahart trap. The one I have is the squirrel size. Before going that route, I will likely build a removable fencing set up a 30" tall or so. I suppose there isn't a deterrent that actually works?

Fencing is really the only thing that deters groundhogs and you need both upright around the bed, and to prevent digging under the fence, either buried or laid flat around the bed. They can climb, so make the fencing either slats or floppy so that they can't scale it. Havaharts have mixed success so you may or may not catch them, and in some states (MA is one I know about) it is illegal to relocate live trapped critters. I refer to broccoli as my groundhog indicator crop - when the broccoli starts disappearing, I go looking for the hole.

Well at least that's one vote for fencing. It did seem to work last year after the fact. I also had some issues with green beans if I remember correctly. I just know I ended up fencing off two beds. Must not like maters and peppers.

What about covering your raised bed with a portable greenhouse? Something similar to this.... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Greenhouse-15-x7-x7-Larger-Walk-In-Tunnel-Green-House-Garden-Plant/47090172

Make sure you cover any exposed ground inside the greenhouse with tarp and/or maybe concrete step stones/pavers/rocks to prevent whatever it is from digging into your greenhouse.

Groundhogs will venture into high tunnels through open doors. Of course if you can surprise them inside you can often run them down. Be sure to carry a hammer or baseball bat with you.

@shahnaz I'd try that, but my son designed my raised beds for aesthetics over functionality. The beds are triangular and triangularish. I need to take a picture.

A typical greenhouse wouldn't work. I think I'll try chicken wire until I can build a permanent fence that looks and functions well.

LoneJack, how much does a shot gun shell cost? How much does a clump of broccoli cost?

Seriously, the last time I bought shot gun shells was in the autumn of 1956. My parents had a fit when they saw the price, back then.

albert

LoneJack, how much does a shot gun shell cost?

I haven't bought any for a few years but they vary a lot depending on what they are intended to be used for. The cheapest ones that are intended for trap shooting are probably about $0.25 per shell.

How much does a clump of broccoli cost?

Well, fresh garden broccoli is priceless :). A groundhog can take out a whole crop of broccoli in no time and then move on to whatever his second favorite treat is at the moment.

You have a great memory!

A groundhog can take out a whole crop of broccoli in no time and then move on to whatever his second favorite treat is at the moment.

Lucky in my case that after the broccoli and cauliflower were taken out there wasn't another treat the groundhogs liked.

OK, Thomas if you consider that lucky. I began my proactive approach this morning - got my first ghog of the season. If you wait for them to harvest your crops you are "Pushing your luck".

Well it could have been worse. ;) So in that respect I was lucky. Thing that's crazy is they could have eaten the plants at ANY time, but waited just a few days before the plants were ready to harvest....