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Dealing with Critters
- All new plantings outside of a rabbit-fenced area should be initially protected with chicken wire or
other fencing that excludes baby rabbits. Baby rabbits can get through fencing with 2" diameter holes.
- While smaller container-grown plants adjust to being introduced to our native soil, larger plants can withstand
the animal foot traffic.
- After mulching the planting hole surface, if the plant is outside a javelina-proof fence, place rocks or pavers
on top of the mulch to prevent a hungry javelina from digging for grubs.
- Water in the early morning. If the ground is wet at night, critters may dig up plants to find the source of
the water. Also fix all leaks in irrigation systems.
- Place Rosemary clippings on planting surfaces. Critters do not like the smell.
- Plant distasteful plants between desirables to confuse the critters' noses.
- Do not use FRESH compost. Critters will think that it is dinner time.
- Do not use blood meal or bone meal to fertilize plants. Critters will dig up the soil looking for the bone
or the corpse.
- Wrap all new tree trunks with chicken wire (loosely) and remove as the bark thickens. Apple tree trunks are
especially tasty.
- While living with our native creatures can be frustrating, many native plants have survived in gardens
for years to the enjoyment of all. An Internet search on "critter resistant plants arizona"
will provide you lists of plants that are distasteful to native animals.
- Consider fencing your garden or part of your yard to keep rabbits, javelina and other critters at bay.
Heavy-duty, four-foot-high field fencing supported by 6' long iron T-posts provides relatively inexpensive, secure fencing.
T-posts are most easily driven into hard ground after a long, heavy rain.
- Some plants may have their roots eaten by burrowing animals. Place those plants in large containers that have
their sides well protected from the sun.
Another alternative is to plant in large wire mesh baskets that are buried in the ground with wire mesh
also protecting the topsoil within one inch of the trunk.
Still other gardeners use hanging baskets.
Garden Cage Construction
- A garden cage is designed to keep critters out of a vegetable garden.
Because of strong winds in Arizona, the framework of a cage should be made of
galvanized steel pipe embedded in heavy concrete footings if lattice is used
on the sides for shade.
A garden cage is typically 8' by 16' in area and 8' high.
Vertical supports are spaced every four feet. This modular size makes it
easy to add 4' x 8' plastic lattice panels (50% shade) when tree shade is not available.
Lattice panels act as sails in the wind, making a steel frame necessary.
- The sides of the cage must be covered with chicken wire or 1/2" wire mesh.
Chicken wire will keep out rabbits and adult rats but not mice or small birds.
Unless inside a javelina-proof fence, sturdy field fence should cover the
wire mesh as a second layer of protection.
- Bird netting or 50% shade cloth is placed on the top and sides. If you have a problem
with raccoons or squirrels, wire mesh will be needed for the top also.
Rodents will chew through plastic.
- The bottoms of raised garden beds inside the cage should have 1/2" wire mesh to prevent
burrowing critters from coming up underneath. Any aisles in the garden cage should have paving stones
to prevent weeds and burrowing critters. Place straw on the paving to reduce heat buildup.
- Trees on the western and southern sides of the cage may be used in place
of lattice or shade cloth to shield the sun.
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Dichelostemma capitatum: Blue Dicks
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