Installing a revolving fan that runs for even part of the day can make a difference to a cluster of plants on a sunny window ledge or in a solarium. These critters tend to be attracted to wet soil and salad patches. These are perhaps the most disliked of the garden s creatures and they are relentless. Sprays and juices that work indoors on aphids have little effect here. There are some cruelty-free methods for trapping them, but the end is permanent.
New tulips are a delight for hungry squirrels.
Nurseries will always recommend bloodmeal. Instead, cayenne and garlic powder sprinkled liberally around the sprouting tulips is effective, but must be repeated after every rainfall. Planting tulips and other bulbs amid fragrant herbs such as thyme may also deter ambitious raccoons. To conquer raccoons digging nightly for grubs, the larva of the junebug, the only alternative is to get rid of all or portions of the lawn. Some interesting, perennial groundcovers that are also draught-tolerant are the more than ten varieties of creeping thyme, periwinkle, moss, chamomile and golden oregano.