That must have been disappointing - Much as we love our wildlife, they can get in the way sometimes. Here I have a love/hate relationship going on with the deer and raccoons :)

I'm not sure about something as soft as bird netting - I make a Quonset hut style hoop of chicken wire (2 really, one from side to side and a second end to end) to keep sparrows and the occasional chipmunk from my seed trays.

Time to screen in your porch :-)

Yes, squirrels are always a risk for anything in pots. We all deal with it when we first set things out, but sounds like you were hit hard. Try to get some kind of a barrier around the pots. You can set an upside down lattice flat over the flat holding your pots. Use twist ties to secure the two flats together in two spots. That will generally keep them out of the pots that have smaller seedlings in them.

I generally leave my seedlings indoors until they've achieved some size and will be more resistant to digging. I think it's the exposed soil in pots that is irresistible to them.

Oh, Amy, I'm so sorry. You're living my fears.

We have a lot of squirrels and I have seen what they've been doing to my mulched areas in the yard. I did some wintersowing, and now I'm afraid to pull the bags and lids back because of this very thing - the squirrels are frequently up on our deck (I have no clue why, there's nothing else up there for them), and that's where my WS containers are so I'm quite sure anything I open they'll get into.

I understand the need to do this from a mental standpoint - at a time when I have no time for myself and some things in my life careening out of my control, this has been therapy (and cheap therapy at that).

I agree that there needs to be barrier(s) set up. What kind will depend on how many containers you have to protect and where they are. There are lots of different materials you could work with, just keep your mind open - plastic fencing is one option I'll be trying (because I have some left over from a project last year, and can be used as a trellis later).

Or be a squirrel whisperer...Think like the squirrel... *be* the squirrel.... what would you *not* like to have to get past to get to those fun buckets of dirt the nice lady put out for you? ;-)

Best wishes, hope today's a better day. :-)
Terri

"Or be a squirrel whisperer...Think like the squirrel... *be* the squirrel.... what would you *not* like to have to get past to get to those fun buckets of dirt the nice lady put out for you?"

OMG--too funny!! Thanks for the chuckle! I think I am going to go with one of the suggestions above and use lattice since I have some around. A quick lattice work box SHOULD work....

-Amy

Ohhhhhhh how I can relate. My most recent "run in" with darn furry rodents was with all the summer like temps, I pulled , drug and toted the heavy and large pots from the garage. One was my 3 yr old Mandavilla vine and another a Mimosa tree, ive been nuturing. The next morning the little pests had dug HUGE holes in the root areas!! They have acres and acres but Ohhhhh NOOOooo they need to excavate in my pots !!! AAAAcccck

We are blessed with way too many squirrels also. I find the best way to protect pots or flats that I've seeded is to cover them with hardware cloth, that wire mesh that comes on rolls. Bend it over the sides or weight it to make it more difficult to remove. For a large round pot, try covering the top with one of those wire cages sold for filling with sheet spaghnum to use as hanging baskets. Put it upside down inside the pot. Of course, they can reach their little paws in and dig a bit around the edges, but it does help immensely. Good luck!

Maybe if you buy a few already flowering, stinky marigolds and put them by your "babies" the squirrels will leave them alone. Works to keep deer away, might with squirrels.

My first set of seedlings were planted and the squirrels dug them up (same as last year). I bought repellent, and it worked part way.

I also planted lettuce and peas in tubs and the squirrels dug large holes (same as last year).

Therefore: I laid down plastic chicken wire, pegged it down, and replanted in large and small containers. I now have spinach, lettuce, peas, beans, squash, cucumbers in the protected tubs or buckets. We are eating the spinach and lettuce - they really look good and taste great. The squirrels have tried to dig, but have finally given up.

I also have new seeds in baggies outdoors. When they are ready I will use the chicken wire this time for the garden. I have spent too many hours, too much money, and too much emotion to let those varmints win. If it takes wire and pegs, so be it. Carol