[Garden] [BULK] Groundhog day

[Candace Wormsbecker]

Yes the squash won't be ready till late September (if we can keep the
predators away!).  If we can hold on a little longer they will be fully
ripened and sweeter!

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From: garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org [mailto:garden-bounces at lists.wpirg.org]
On Behalf Of Dave Dolson
Sent: August-13-09 3:08 PM
To: jrochon at uwaterloo.ca; garden at lists.wpirg.org
Subject: Re: [Garden] [BULK] Groundhog day


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.
 
 


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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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