Bugs, varmits, critters and / or deer (not always in that order).

Little holes are bugs / slugs most likely. Depending on the size, missing all together is something bigger (depending on the plant size). Also what is prevalent in your area?

I'd build the cage for it... or you can try a host of other remedies for this (although now they now where the buffet line starts it gets harder). Everything from dried blood and coyote urine to dangling CD's and dog hair. I've always wanted to get the motion detecting hose sprayer myself, but never did.

You can also try a humaine trap to catch whatever it is (if small enough and pray its not a skunk).

Well, I'm in the burbs. We don't have anything much wilder than bugs and slugs and birds. Dogs and cats?

Can you point me to a bug/slug remedy?

Never mind. I found a bunch on the net.

I'm in the burbs also... we have deer, fox and the occassional coyote.

I do a board in the garden... its about 1x3. I flip it every morning and every once in a while, I find a slug.

Wow, your burbs aren't my burbs! We haven't had anything without a collar in decades. Wait, a duck did show up on my MIL's front porch once. Does that count? HA!

I'll try your thing with the board. I already did the canola oil/ivorysoap spray. I went to the pool supply and got a cheap pile of diatomaceous earth and will probably cook up some of that onion/garlic/pepper/soap stuff this weekend.