Question
This is my very first year having a summer vegetable garden.  There is a ground hog that is eating my tomatoes & other crops during the daytime hours.  Every time I spot him, he runs underneath my property fence.  He's ruining my garden, when everything is just getting close to harvest time?  I'm thinking I'll have to put up a chicken wire fence (quickly) - what do you suggest?

Answer
Hi Nancy

Groundhogs will climb over or dig under fences.  The best bet is likely a cage live trap.  Wrap sides, top and bottom with newspaper.  And take it up at night unless you want to catch other critters... skunk opossum raccoon and the neighbor hood cats. Bait it with an apple half.

IF you can find his burrows, you could stuff mint into them.  They detest mint as do most rodents except rats.  Be aware that you likely have 5 groundhog if you see one.  The others will come looking for the missing fellow when you remove him.

Happy gardening, Dan