I second the squirrel suggestion. Squirrels have done this to me on many
occasions.

For some reason my local squirrels especially have a thing about strawberry
plants; one year I had the little suckers dig up all *50* the night after I
planted them. They were lying neatly on the ground, untouched, right beside
the holes the squirrels had dug. I replanted them the next day and they dug
up about a dozen of them again. I ended up losing several plants because of
the roots drying out and being damaged from the repeated planting and
digging.

I knew it was squirrels because I kept finding acorns in the bottom of the
holes when I replanted the plants. Have you poked around in the soil beneath
the hole for acorns or nuts? :-)

They dig in my flowerbeds and gardens all the time, especially right after
I've planted, removed plants, or otherwise disturbed the soil. I am forever
pulling up oak seedlings.

OTOH, my squirrels practically never disturb established plants... I guess
they look for spots where the digging is easiest. If you can find a way to
protect your new plants for several days to a week, maybe the squirrels (or
whatever is digging up your plants) will leave them alone thereafter.

HTH,
Laura


"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
m...
My guess would be squirrels looking for nuts. We've seen both in
our yard, especially in spring when the plants are new and the
nuts are few. Squirrels bury nuts all over then root them out
when they're hungry. Cats trying to get moles will do this,
too. I'd think a possum or raccoon would dig a larger/deeper
spot. What to do? I don't know. I'd think you could make a
million if you can figure it out.
Raleighgirl