Gardening in Tucson
and Southeastern Arizona

Dealing with Critters

• Six foot high walls keep out rabbits and javelina and offer wind protection. They do not keep out birds or skunks. Birds often can, however, be kept at bay if a couple of cats are persuaded to patrol the garden.
• Plants can be placed in horse watering troughs or other tall containers that deter rabbits. The bottoms must have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil and fungal diseases. To keep burrowing animals out of the drainage holes, cover them with wire mesh, cover the mesh with gravel, then top with soil.
• Some plants may have their roots eaten by burrowing animals. Place those plants in large containers that have their sides well protected from the sun. Another alternative is to plant in large wire mesh baskets that are buried in the ground with wire mesh also protecting the topsoil within one inch of the trunk. Still other gardeners use hanging baskets.
• Garden cages, using 1" wire mesh on sides and top, can keep out critters smaller than javelina. They provide some wind protection when the sides are lined with 50% lattice four feet high. Burrowing rats will require 1/2" wire mesh on the bottoms of any raised garden beds. Paving brick or stone will be needed for interior walkways and the outer sides of the cage to control weeds and burrowing animals.
• Consider fencing your garden or part of your yard to keep javelina and large critters at bay. Heavy-duty, four-foot-high field fencing supported by 6' long iron T-posts provides relatively inexpensive, secure fencing. T-posts are most easily driven into hard ground after a long, heavy rain.