I'm in a bit of a pickle here! It's already August, and although I have some female pumpkin flowers that were pollinated, I'm worried that they won't mature in time for New Year's. I've bought net bags to try and protect them, but those pesky groundhogs are still chewing through! What are my options for keeping them safe without being able to install a fence around my garden?
3 Answers
I'm rooting for your pumpkins too! They can grow pretty fast, especially if they aren’t giant pumpkins. I once had one ready by August when I planted late. Have you tried using a laundry basket for protection? Just make sure to stake it down so it doesn't blow away!
Have you thought about using hardware cloth to create a protective box around your pumpkins? Just make sure to create a space for the stem to grow out, and keep it well-padded so it doesn’t get damaged. Just be careful when handling the hardware cloth; it’s sharp! It’s like giving your squash its own little safety zone!
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
Definitely go for the hardware cloth! Whatever you use needs to be tough enough that they can't dig or bite through it. Building a pumpkin cage should help keep them at bay, as groundhogs usually prefer easy snacks!
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate all the suggestions!!!
I really like this idea!!! I was initially worried when the female flowers took a while to show up, but now it feels like I have a bunch of them. Just hope one makes it in time for Halloween!