I need HELP!

I am to my wits end (obviously or I would not be posting) I have started my melons, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries......

Well yesterday morning I woke up to find that something had got into my peppers and literally pulled out the pods with the sprouts in them and thrown them around my hard....

THIS MORNING I woke up to find that something had gotten into my cantaloupe and just plucked the leaves right off. Left the stems but, plucked the leaves. What really pissed me off for some reason is the watermelon were within reach and it didn't touch their leaves.

I feel as if I have some kind of animal that has human intelligence and is just trying to piss me AND ruin any chance my plants of making it in the process.

I do not have a wonderful green thumb but, I'm not stupid......I don't know what to do.

Two questions:

Is there a chance my cantaloupe will still make it with just the half inch stem still there? The roots seem to be pretty strong and like I said I don't have the greenest thumb but, my assumption since there is something to get the sunlight and roots they may still make it.

What in the hell could be doing this....a squirrel, possum, raccoon? I am not familiar with the wildlife down here is why I ask. And does anyone have ANY suggestions on how I can prevent this or at least try?!?!?!

I got the fencing if it comes to that

My uncle had this problem and it was cats. He used old orange peels in the garden. Apparently cats dont like the citrus from the peel

I got the fencing if it comes to that Originally Posted by Jten13

Thank you! I do have a side of my house that gets great sunlight. I appreciate it and will keep it in mind!

My uncle had this problem and it was cats. He used old orange peels in the garden. Apparently cats dont like the citrus from the peel Originally Posted by tak_eyeinurI

Someone else suggested cats but, I thought surely not. I will give that a try too! I will take ANY suggestions I can get! Thank you!

You might want to go down to HD or Lowes and look into some netting or fencing as was suggested. Hope you're able to salvage what's left of your garden, good luck.............do n't forget sun screen and a hat.

As an avid gardener myself it sounds like you have rabbits. Those cute little guys can be quite destructive and believe it or not are normally nocturnal feeder. You can try a couple of things to keep them out: 1. They make a spray with hot pepper oil that you apply to the greenery of the plants 2. You can try a spray with coyote urine that you spray outside the garden. Both are available at local nurseries And must be reapplied occasionally. Also look for a local teenager with a pellet gun. No joke that can be the most effective solution. As far as the mellons go with all the leaves stripped I would leave them.you will know pretty soon if they will survive. PM me if you have any other questions, I will be glad to help a fellow gardener.

You might want to go down to HD or Lowes and look into some netting or fencing as was suggested. Hope you're able to salvage what's left of your garden, good luck.............do n't forget sun screen and a hat. Originally Posted by Keyzer Soze

Thanks sweetheart!!!

As an avid gardener myself it sounds like you have rabbits. Those cute little guys can be quite destructive and believe it or not are normally nocturnal feeder. You can try a couple of things to keep them out: 1. They make a spray with hot pepper oil that you apply to the greenery of the plants 2. You can try a spray with coyote urine that you spray outside the garden. Both are available at local nurseries And must be reapplied occasionally. Also look for a local teenager with a pellet gun. No joke that can be the most effective solution. As far as the mellons go with all the leaves stripped I would leave them.you will know pretty soon if they will survive. PM me if you have any other questions, I will be glad to help a fellow gardener. Originally Posted by Stitch

Thank you! I didn't even think of that. I really appreciate the advice. I also appreciate the offer for future help I will take you on it I can almost promise that.

Interesting thread!!
I was like ...oh no..whats wrong w bailey?!
But ah ha...i shouldve known...FOOD!!
I hope your garden can be salvaged!!

Those waskawy wabbits

Those waskawy wabbits Originally Posted by JusticeMutt

And to think I was drooling over a friend's bunny pics on facebook the other day.....not anymore!

Interesting thread!!
I was like ...oh no..whats wrong w bailey?!
But ah ha...i shouldve known...FOOD!!
I hope your garden can be salvaged!! Originally Posted by MsPrittiKitti

Haha yea sorry about that maybe should have titled it different lol. You know me too well. My catastrophes stay pretty simple for the most part

Thanks love!

Here's some things that work well. First take mothballs and line the perimeter of your yard. This keeps many insects out, like fleas, ants and the like. It also has the added benefit of keeping cats out as they don't like them either. Moth balls are cheap and you put new ones out about ever 3-4 months.

Next crushed red pepper. You sprinkle that around your garden and it will work wonders. It will drive away just about everything and it is an organic option. Also if you put pepper around your house it keeps insects from coming in as well.

Here's some things that work well. First take mothballs and line the perimeter of your yard. This keeps many insects out, like fleas, ants and the like. It also has the added benefit of keeping cats out as they don't like them either. Moth balls are cheap and you put new ones out about ever 3-4 months.

Next crushed red pepper. You sprinkle that around your garden and it will work wonders. It will drive away just about everything and it is an organic option. Also if you put pepper around your house it keeps insects from coming in as well. Originally Posted by Rakhir

Hmmm thank you VERY much! Third time I have heard the pepper thing so it's a go for sure!

Good to know about the mothballs too. My rottweiler goes CRAZY over the cats and squirrels so maybe that will help a little.

Bailey, if I were a cat, I would play with your melons. But not tear them off! Sorry it was just there for the taking!!!

Hope you get your issue squared away.

Know a hunter with a video recorder he uses for deer. They record based on movement. Set it up could help see exactly what the animal is. Did this for mine to see the neighbors dog destroying mine. My cure was to leave my dog outside about a week.