[4everontheRight]

I wish I could get rid of chipmunks or at least ask them kindly to leave my garden alone!! We have dogs that go outside (of course) and I can't take the chance on putting poison out for the chippies.

I planted a raised garden bed with red taters and a little zucchini and squash. This is my first year in several years to try to grow zucchini because it's been a lost cause for years. Squash worms kill the plants every year. Now, the *(&*(^&^$ chipmunks are chewing away at the blossoms and digging down into the dirt to steal my little taters before they even get big enough for me to steal them!! I would love advice if anyone has it on deterring this little maniacs! I really don't want to poison them and then have one of my dogs get the thing but I'm tired of my garden being their salad bowl!!

I'm also growing some hot peppers in containers since we had such a cool start to spring. I was bringing pots onto the porch night after night to avoid frost and this was well into May...in the south!! I think I must have aphids because I'm starting to see little holes in the leaves.
I think I'm wasting my time trying to grow anything!!

[MomwithHope]

We were overrun a couple of years ago, chipmunks, piggish fox squirrels and outside mice. Our termite pest guy told us about the 10 gallon bucket. In a few weeks we had eliminated 4 or 5 dozen squirrels, chipmunks and mice. I actually kept count. Get a 10 gallon bucket and fill it halfway with water. Buy a 4 or 5 pound bag of striped sunflower seeds. Have to be striped - they will float. Put enough in the bucket to have a layer on the surface. Should last 4 or 5 days without replacing. Buy a cheap pair of tongs at the dollar store. Set the bucket next to a tree, or somewhere the vermin can crawl up and see into the bucket. We put our next to our firewood. Use the tongs to fish out the carcasses. We fished out 1 or 2 each day. Had a little trouble with a raccoon tipping it over one night but we laid a heavy metal grate across the top of the bucket. Worked great.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“I think I’m wasting my time trying to grow anything!”

So sorry to hear of your gardening woes. My suggestion is to find a book specific to growing in your area, and use the varieties they recommend, planting dates, critter and bug control suggestions, etc.

You’ll be amazed what a huge difference that will make! Maybe not This year, but in the future. :)

Post to me here, or message me as to where you live (Example: SW corner of Wisconsin) and I’ll see what books/authors I can find to recommend. (I’ve read them all!)

[mrsmith]

As a beginner, I’ll tell you our secret:
“Grow Romaine (Cos) lettuce!”
You cannot fail!

And with that success you’ll find more.

So plant Romaine lettuce now!
It needs practically no attention. Give your attention to tomatoes ( theyu always need it) that you need for salads.

[mrsmith]

ALL beginners.
Romaine lettuce, it’s “no fail”.

[Paul R.]

Would castor oil work to deter the munks?

(I’m not sure what effect it has on various plants, little to none, I think?)

One of our problems is a dog that will dig under the fence to get into the garden!!