On Mon, 5 Jun 2006 15:37:54 -0400, in rec.gardens.edible "Sgt.Sausage"
, in glistered weave writ large for all to see:


"Ignoramus11409" wrote in message
...
We are in Northern IL.

I planted watermelons in an area (front yard) that always had problems
of similar plants being victimized by some pests. Not sure which
ones. Apparently, they like eating young shoots.

How can I realiztically prevent that, thanks.


The *best* pest removal investment I ever made was to go down to the
county animal shelter and pick up 2 kittens. It took them a few months
to get up to speed, but here's the short/quick list of things we used to
classify as "pests" and we now classify as "gone".

(a) Geese -- Canada. Used to have about 50 a year set up shop
on our homestead. Now we have none.

(b) Mice -- gone.

(c) Chipmonks -- gone.

(d) Squirrels -- not gone, but stay away from the gardens where the
cats patroll.

(e) Rabits -- not gone, but no longer like to be anywhere near the
garden.

(f) Moles/shrews -- gone.

(g) Birds -- not gone, but no longer eat all of the berries/cherries and
whatnot.

All of these were a serious problem for us -- like we'd only get about
10% of what we grew from the ground to the kitchen table. Now we
get about 80% -- the cats saved us. The remaining 20% lossage is for
things out of our control (weather, hail, bugs, and whatnot).


I can't stand cats. They kill things for pleasure. But i love to have the
neighborhood cats patrol my yard for the very reasons you give.

FACE