Protecting Broccoli and Cauliflower

9 years ago

So last year I rebuilt my garden. New raised beds and soil. I managed to get it done and still find some broccoli and cauliflower plants. The plants were doing GREAT. Many weeks in, heads starting to form and plants are very healthy. Until. I go out one day and I see that something has been helping itself to the broccoli. Several plants gone. I realized I was going to have to protect them and went about my yardwork. I checked a couple hours later and a couple more were gone. Whatever it was had the nerve to eat them when I was out and about the yard. That rules out deer though I had already since the woods behind us were torn down in favor of a housing development. :(

I put up a crappy makeshift fence about 3' high around the bed and that seemed to deter the critters from being able to get to the plants. I replanted but that high of a fence made gardening difficult and the garden got out of hand, due to other issues as well. I was going to make shorter permanent fence structures around the beds but my son designed a wonderful creative raised bed with ODD shaped beds that do not really accommodate a nice looking fence. I was thinking maybe a netting might be better than a fence? I could attach some posts to the beds and then support the netting on the posts.

Questions: what might have been eating the broccoli? I think maybe rabbits?

Will the netting deter the critter enough that it'll leave the plants alone?

Many thanks

Thomas

Featured Answer

Barrie, (Central PA, zone 6a)

9 years ago

A net is doubtful to be effective. Groundhogs might actually like the security of feeding under a net. A seasoned trapper told me that you will have more success trapping them if you throw a cover over the body of a Havahart style trap. Use salt for bait.

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Comments (16)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
9 years ago
If the plants were mature and heads were forming I don't think a rabbit would take out entire plants. It sounds like the work of a hungry groundhog to me. They are tricky to deter because they can dig.
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
Groundhog is NOT out of the question. The raised beds are made out of 2x4 material and there's a pathway surrounding the beds. And you're right. Rabbits wouldn't likely be able to eat that much that quickly. Will look at groundhog deterrents.
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LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
9 years ago
12 gauge works well for me as I am in a rural area. They are daytime feeders.
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
LOL. In the city. And I work for a living so I can't stand around 24x7 protecting the plants. Groundhogs live under the neighbors deck. They can't do anything to keep them out from there. I'm mildly optimistic that the ~3' high fence kept whatever it was out of the plants. Unfortunately, that included me. Maybe I'll have to build some sort of fencing about the beds. Will likely be a PITA though due to the shape of the beds. :) Anyone have any luck with a repellent?
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
Might have to look at getting a larger Havahart trap. The one I have is the squirrel size. Before going that route, I will likely build a removable fencing set up a 30" tall or so. I suppose there isn't a deterrent that actually works?
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Fencing is really the only thing that deters groundhogs and you need both upright around the bed, and to prevent digging under the fence, either buried or laid flat around the bed. They can climb, so make the fencing either slats or floppy so that they can't scale it. Havaharts have mixed success so you may or may not catch them, and in some states (MA is one I know about) it is illegal to relocate live trapped critters. I refer to broccoli as my groundhog indicator crop - when the broccoli starts disappearing, I go looking for the hole.
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
Well at least that's one vote for fencing. It did seem to work last year after the fact. I also had some issues with green beans if I remember correctly. I just know I ended up fencing off two beds. Must not like maters and peppers.
shahnaz26
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What about covering your raised bed with a portable greenhouse? Something similar to this.... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Greenhouse-15-x7-x7-Larger-Walk-In-Tunnel-Green-House-Garden-Plant/47090172

Make sure you cover any exposed ground inside the greenhouse with tarp and/or maybe concrete step stones/pavers/rocks to prevent whatever it is from digging into your greenhouse.
Thomas thanked shahnaz26
Barrie, (Central PA, zone 6a)
9 years ago
Groundhogs will venture into high tunnels through open doors. Of course if you can surprise them inside you can often run them down. Be sure to carry a hammer or baseball bat with you.
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
@shahnaz I'd try that, but my son designed my raised beds for aesthetics over functionality. The beds are triangular and triangularish. I need to take a picture.

A typical greenhouse wouldn't work. I think I'll try chicken wire until I can build a permanent fence that looks and functions well.
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LoneJack, how much does a shot gun shell cost? How much does a clump of broccoli cost?

Seriously, the last time I bought shot gun shells was in the autumn of 1956. My parents had a fit when they saw the price, back then.
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
albert

LoneJack, how much does a shot gun shell cost?

I haven't bought any for a few years but they vary a lot depending on what they are intended to be used for. The cheapest ones that are intended for trap shooting are probably about $0.25 per shell.

How much does a clump of broccoli cost?

Well, fresh garden broccoli is priceless :). A groundhog can take out a whole crop of broccoli in no time and then move on to whatever his second favorite treat is at the moment.

You have a great memory!
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
A groundhog can take out a whole crop of broccoli in no time and then move on to whatever his second favorite treat is at the moment.

Lucky in my case that after the broccoli and cauliflower were taken out there wasn't another treat the groundhogs liked.
Barrie, (Central PA, zone 6a)
9 years ago
OK, Thomas if you consider that lucky. I began my proactive approach this morning - got my first ghog of the season. If you wait for them to harvest your crops you are "Pushing your luck".
Thomas
Original Author
9 years ago
Well it could have been worse. ;) So in that respect I was lucky. Thing that's crazy is they could have eaten the plants at ANY time, but waited just a few days before the plants were ready to harvest....