Alas, that doesn't sound like a dahlia bud to me - attached is a picture which may help. I keep getting upset my cats are digging around near my dahlias, but I figure their "scent" is probably keeping the squirrels away, and my dahlias don't seem to be harmed too much by the feline activity.

Anna

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:644302}}

wow is that gorgeous! yeah mine look nothing like that-
they're probably weeds..lol I will take a picture later on and post it. I tried some of that 'critter away' spray and it didn't keep anything away. I even tried moth balls, as recommended to me by a friend but then I read something about that being extremely dangerous to your health so I trashed those as well.My well meaning and sweet neighbors (on both sides) feed the squirrels so they have an over abunance of food to bury so the digging never ends. I also tried the netting but after spending a few hours cutting, (and detangling as it got caught on everything) the little pets o' satan figured out how to get the netting off too.
I suppose it could be worse, I could have a deer or mole problems-from what I understand they are far worse so I shouldn't complain too much. It's just annoying. It's also got to be tough for you to have your own darling kitties digging-since you love them and they are your pets, you can't really fantasize about beating them with shovel as I do with the squirrels-i'd never do it, even if I could catch one of these little $@#@#'s but it makes for amusing day dreaming. thanks for the response and the beautiful picture-I love seeing everyone's fruits of their labor!

Katie: I wish I could take credit for that photo - but it was just a random "snatch" off the internet via Google images - a very handy tool, and has helped me identify lots of things.

Yes, my puddies - who love to dig around. It's funny, but before I became a gardener big-time, I couldn't understand why folks would get so upset about a little digging in the flower beds - I sure do now!! Here is something I use a lot, especially around freshly planted stuff and it may help with the squirrels as well: it's called gutter-guard, sold in rolls in hardware stores. I cut it in strips and then "staple" them to the ground with pegs, or "earth staples". This is a black plastic mesh, and harldy shows at all once it is laid down, and it can be cut to any size. It really helps curb the damage incurred by critters, domestic and otherwise, that are simply "doing what comes naturally". I also sometimes make a type of guard around a plant standing it up - see the picture. Give it a try!
{{gwi:644303}}
Anna