[Garden] [BULK] Groundhog day

[Dave Dolson]

I was wondering about the white squash-like objects (spaghetti squash?).
There is one out there today that the groundhog has not touched yet (I
know he/she likes them), but I don't know how to tell if this item is
ripe, or whether it needs to change colour. If you think this item is
ripe and you like to eat this item, please take it.
 
 


________________________________

	From: garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org
[mailto:garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org] On Behalf Of J. Rochon
	Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 1:19 PM
	To: garden at lists.wpirg.org
	Subject: [BULK] [Garden] Groundhog day
	Importance: Low
	
	
	Gardeners,
	                 Here are a few suggestions for non-violent
ground hog control.
	
	Option #1 simply entails installing pinwheels or other devices
around garden areas to frighten groundhogs away (groundhogs are timid,
and the motion will bother them).
	
	Option #2 Epsom salts can be sprinkled on the vegetation and
fruits of your garden plants to render them foul-tasting to groundhogs.
The good news about this strategy is that Epsom salts will also help
some of your garden plants to grow better. But the bad news is that rain
will wash off the Epsom salts, meaning that you will need to make
repeated applications. Another strategy that suffers from the same
drawback is discouraging groundhogs with foul-smelling agents such as
ammonia. Ammonia-soaked rags can be strewn along the perimeter of your
garden, forming a stinky barrier to repel groundhogs. But even ammonia's
smell fades eventually and a re-application will be necessary. 
	
	

	Option #3 (the one we are trying) Fences such as chicken-wire
fences can provide a more permanent solution to your groundhog pest
problem. Be aware of two factors, however: groundhogs can climb over
your fences, and groundhogs can tunnel under your fences. To discourage
the former, make your fences 3'-4' high. To foil tunneling
<http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/wildlife/g09452.htm>
attempts, the University of Missouri Extension advises: 

	"The buried portion of the fence should be bent at a 90-degree
angle, 1 foot below the surface, with the bottom of the fence pointing
away from the garden. This design discourages burrowing if it is started
at the fence line."
	

	#4 Castor Oil


	On the other hand, I'm told if you mix one ounce of castor oil
with 10 ounces of water you'll deter all kinds of pests. According to
the castor-oil company in the U.S. the castor oil does not kill the
pests, they simply do not like the smell of it and avoid the area. In
one study, not only did the rodents stay away, but rabbits, squirrels,
groundhogs, raccoons and skunks also stayed away. I have not tried this
(the twenty foot square garden does not have groundhogs or enough soil
depth for them to live here) so I can't offer any support to this
product. 
	

	Read more:
http://www.beginner-gardening.com/groundhogs.html#ixzz0O5HbfrR2
	
	

	Scent Deterrents: 

	*	Make a small pouch out of a nylon stocking or an onion
bag and place some dog hair in it. Attach this to a small stick and
place in and around your garden. The groundhog will think a predator is
near. 
	*	Sprinkle dry blood meal around target plants to trick
the groundhog into thinking a predator is close by. 

	Taste Deterrents:

	*	Plant garlic, onion and/or marigolds near the plants you
would like to protect or sprinkle garlic and onion powder on those
plants for a similar effect. 
	*	You can also sprinkle talcum powder on or near the
plants as groundhogs dislike this taste. 
	*	Plant a patch of clover or alfalfa to lure them away
from your desired plants. 

	And my favourite You can buy commercial repellents to keep
groundhogs out of your garden, but a homemade one that works well is 1
tbs. hot sauce mixed into 1 gallon water. Spray the mixture directly
onto the plants. You can also spray it along the perimeter of the
garden. MMmmmm.... hot sauce.
	
	

	


	-- 
	-----------------------
	Jason Rochon
	Campus Tech 
	(519) 888-4567 X33518

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