Thx for the advice! Yes, added lime in Year 1 (cheap from a tortilla factory) and also wood ashes from my fire pit. My soil needs a lot more of that. Now all my pine needles go into the compost garbage bins. Haven't tried doing composting yet. Might buy a pitchfork now! Planning to put gopher-lovin' plants in pots next spring and for those in ground inside wire buried boxes. And experiment with traps, too. I've dealt with raccoons ("trash pandas") and possums by giving both a wide berth - never have had serious trouble with either since they mostly are just passing thru and I never put pet food outside.
LOL! The racoons are notorious for getting into the trash bins. My bin lid is attached by hinges and has 2 wheels. I strap it down with a bungee cord. Problem solved.
Don't give up. It gets better. It's very frustrating in the beginning especially if you lose a lot of plants. The good part is you usually learn a lot from it. I hope you have a better year next year.
Thx. Indeed, it can be frustrating but I was amazed in my Year 1 anything grew in soil abused by so much Roundup, extreme acidic soil, and a horrid June beetle grub infestation. Year 1, I had too many tomatoes but Year 2 too many herbs and gophers attacking tomatoes. A learning process to know what grows well with conditions one has. Constant experimenting.
Thx for the advice! Yes, added lime in Year 1 (cheap from a tortilla factory) and also wood ashes from my fire pit. My soil needs a lot more of that. Now all my pine needles go into the compost garbage bins. Haven't tried doing composting yet. Might buy a pitchfork now! Planning to put gopher-lovin' plants in pots next spring and for those in ground inside wire buried boxes. And experiment with traps, too. I've dealt with raccoons ("trash pandas") and possums by giving both a wide berth - never have had serious trouble with either since they mostly are just passing thru and I never put pet food outside.
LOL! The racoons are notorious for getting into the trash bins. My bin lid is attached by hinges and has 2 wheels. I strap it down with a bungee cord. Problem solved.
Don't give up. It gets better. It's very frustrating in the beginning especially if you lose a lot of plants. The good part is you usually learn a lot from it. I hope you have a better year next year.
Thx. Indeed, it can be frustrating but I was amazed in my Year 1 anything grew in soil abused by so much Roundup, extreme acidic soil, and a horrid June beetle grub infestation. Year 1, I had too many tomatoes but Year 2 too many herbs and gophers attacking tomatoes. A learning process to know what grows well with conditions one has. Constant experimenting.