If it's squirrels (and now that you are seeing the whole, dug-up seedlings, I would suspect squirrels), put a piece of chicken wire over the top of the basket, and let the alyssum poke up through the holes. Secure the chicken wire to the basket so the squirrel can't pull it off. I have also used plastic forks stuck in pots before, tines facing up, to prevent the squirrels from getting in them.

Birds will pull up seedlings without disturbing the soil at all in most cases. Snails or slugs will eat the plant off, not pull it up. I have to protect my seedlings from rats, squirrels and birds as well as snails. Al

Thanks, sleepy33 and Al

I stuck plastic forks tines up in basket - squirrels not bothered them so far..but like an idiot, I left the nearby nasturtium basket(without forks) and today one of the nasturtium seedling missing - the cover of seed at the root was all that I cud see! maybe its birds this time!!I have stuck forks in that basket too..

I wanted to know - now there are 2 nasturtium seedlings left in that 14" basket(and its only nasturtium in the basket) would 2 seedlings be less to fill up the basket?

Its Nasturtium whirlybird Mix - the packet says - Ht 12" - ideal for bedding, pots and hanging baskets..

Thanks for any advise..