Wondering if anyone out there knows enough about wild critters in Massachusetts to know which ones will dig up rhizomes. This morning I had to replant two of the four I planted, and a sprout of a third that was partially dug up (and not yet through the dirt) appeared to be nibbled. Electric fencing may be in order, a bared extension cord, I don't yet know. But knowing the culprit may be helpful in figuring out a solution. Thanks.
I suggest a moat. Inhabited by sharks. Sharks with frickin' laser beams. Or else some temporary chicken wire fencing. Probably just a curious critter checking out the freshly dug soil.
Groundhog/Woodchuck or squirrels. They get to broccoli up here in Maine. I am hoping that since mine are in planters I avoid the wild life of the get go.
Rake out to bare soil 2 feet around the rhizomes and look for tracks, shoot and or set traps accordingly.
Some varmints don't like certain odors, so consider using a mulch with a smell. I don't plant hops to be able to know which varmints might be attracted to them, but I have success keeping deer away from some of my yard plants by using cocoa bean mulch (a nice chocolate aroma), which should be available just about everywhere. I also successfully use Milorganite (dried sewage plant waste from Milwaukee with only a slight odor of you know what), but I doub't that it is available to you.
Maybe voles. They will eat flower bulbs, rhizomes, roots. I have a problem with them. Not to be confused with moles, they basically look like a larger mouse. You'll see above-ground "raceways" they create in the grass or dirt. You can set regular mouse traps (cover them with a box to prevent birds or other critters from setting off the traps). http://www.almanac.com/pest/voles
Being semi retired from the vegetable buis, I grew around 22 acres of produce and attempted to keep varmits away with electric fence, soaps sprays mulches and all other means available. If in fact you have critters killing your plants the leathal approch is best. Otherwise sprays wash off, they get used to applied scents that might temporarily suppress them and in the case of deer run over or jump electric wire. If you use a have a heart trap check your local ordinances. In VT it is illegal to transport and relocate wild animals, and you are possibly causing problems for someone else. Good luck
My vote goes to extermination too. I picked up a .22 caliber air gun for rabbits and other small varmints around my house. So far it works well.
