In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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June 25, 2007

Something is digging in my garden!

Something is digging small circles in the bark that covers the paths in my garden. And last night the rascals dug up five or six young corn plants and also dug down into the exact spot I planted cucumber seeds. I think the culprit is digging for earthworms. I just harvested potatoes from the bed where I planted the young corn plants, and the earthworms in that bed were huge and fat. The soil is light and friable.

All the paths in the garden are mulched with several inches of chipped bark. I try to get a couple truckloads every year or two when the tree trimmers are on my road. I notice when I water thoroughly and regularly and the paths are nice and moist that some animal comes in digging around. I’m going to take one of the extra tomato cages and lay it across the corn plants this evening to try and discourage whatever varmint is raiding my garden.

Raccoons, perhaps? Any ideas or suggestions?

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