Over the last few years I’ve been fighting the chipmunks for my tomatoes. I’ve tried everything: animal repellent and pepper spray. The pepper spray actually worked but we had so much rain last summer that it kept washing off. And the little bastards were sneaky. They would wait until the tomatoes were almost ripe and then go after them. I had to start picking tomatoes just as they started to ripen. That defeats the purpose of vine ripened tomatoes.
Sumpin’ happened this year. The chipmunks have all gone. I’m awash in tomatoes. It’s a bumper crop! Maybe it’s because I’m growing a different kind this year. Many of these tomatoes are pear shaped. They’re also not as good as the Big Boy and Better Boy tomatoes that I usually grow. They’re still better than the store bought.
I’ve also got a lot of cucumbers. These are smaller than I normally grow which is really a plus since one is just the right size for a salad.
As a result, I’m eating really healthy this summer. Insalata caprese which is sliced tomatoes topped by soft Mozzarella cheese and sweet basil (alas store bought since I didn’t grow any this year) with olive oil dribbled on top. Tomato cucumber salads consisting of Romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and black olives. And, of course, BLTs.
This is my best garden summer in the last five years and I’m loving it! So is my cleaning lady who is getting my overflow which is a lot.
My gray hair is turning red from my massive consumption of tomatoes from my garden as well Denny.
Maybe you have a cat roaming the neighborhood.
Uhhh, Cats don’t eat Tomatoes but mine likes Chipmunks. When our cat is out the Chipmunks leave.
My cats are indoor cats. I don’t like to fuss with ticks and fleas. I find they live longer if they never go outdoors.
Ron in Ohio Sez:
I’m happy for ya’ Denny. Tomatoes are one of the few things that aren’t doing well for me this year. First, too much rain early on, then none, now it’s back to too much again. But, I believe the problem is with the middle fertilizer number, the phosphorus of the “nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium trinity. I may be too late but I still gave them a good Epson Salt/Water bath and they’re starting to blossom like crazy again.
My three favorites, Early Girl, Goliath and Amish Paste (A local sweeter than Roma sauce making tomato) all showed promise early but ended-up stunted.
As far as the Chipmunks, Voles and Deer, we are in a constant battle although, I believe I’ve got the deer under control now. As for the Chipmunks and Voles; I win a battle here and there but, they’re still winning the war. The Castor Oil/Water and the Ammonia/Water solutions work for awhile and they’ll even abandon the treated holes – Only to dig new ones.
BUT – Everything growing in my containers are doing great! From my hottest peppers; Carolina Reapers, Trinidad Scorpions and Bhut Jolokias down to my sweet Bananas. My Herbs are also fantastic with my Basil plants about 4′ high. I just wish everything was as trouble free as is growing Horseradish. That’s my greatest success story.
Make sure you give them calcium as well. I used to get blossom end rot and calcium fixed that right up. I always have plenty of nitrogen since the tomatoes are planted in the bed where I grew my string beans last year.
Calcium? Yup! No Calcium? Use Tums or Egg Shells! More info at a few old web sites; http://www.rechelleunplugged.com/2010/05/garden-tips-from-a-tipsy-gardener-giving-tums-to-your-tomatoes/
-OR-
http://www.thisorganicprocess.com/gardening/adding-calcium-tomato-plants-step-step-guide-gardening/
-OR-
Just do a search for; “CALCIUM, TUMS for Plants”.
But, as well meaning as I’m trying to be Denny, the pH balance and alkaline content of your soil and your geographic location will vary from one person to another.
Sometimes it will take 5 years to sort it all out and find the perfect balance for your location. For me, we have been here for 5 years now. at first we had good results in a portable/seasonal greenhouse that kept the wildlife out. Then it was container growing and finally, in the ground for a year in a different location. This is only our 2nd year in a SE full sun, raised bed and we’re still learning.
In Missouri all I had to do was plant, stake, and pick. I did mulch with leaves and grass clippings and work them into the soil every year. Down here in Georgia in addition to working in the mulch every year, I have had to lime, fertilize, and use calcium to fix the blossom end rot. Found that solution on the web. Missouri spoiled me big time.
I find my RWS pellet rifle in .177 caliber topped with a 2×6 power scope”1000fps” is more then adequate for Chippies & Red Squirrels. One Pump folding stock & very silent.
Global warming has a “+” side!
But Toejam, Our messiah, the omnipotent, the all knowing Obama, says that “Global Warming” Climate Change” or whatever Gore-ism ya’ want to apply, is more dangerous than terrorism.
Are ya’ going on record to dispute our vacationer-in-chief?
Try a ‘Havahart’ live trap, baited with peanut butter. The traps come in different sizes; you’ll want the smallest one. I’ve caught 5 of the little buggers so far this summer in my small trap; my big trap has caught a smallish possum, a large skunk, and an enormous raccoon, all of which annihilated my small crop of sweet corn for the 2nd year in a row.
I let them loose in a park about 1/2 mile from my house. Granted, driving them out there is a lot easier for me than it would be for you, Denny; on the other hand, you could always drown them.
MrJimm:
My next door neighbor has caught over 40 Chipmunks so far this year in his Hav-A-Hart. He always finishes them off with a B-B gun coup de gras and tosses them in his flower beds for fertilizer. Then, the smart ones come to our yard.
He also has a solar powered Vole repeller that pretty much keeps his yard clear of those root munching critters. (Moles are NOT the problem! They are actually helpful, eating grubs and other harmful insects)
You should mail the skunk to the White House with a note that reads, “Now there are two of you.”
I am to am having luck with tomatoes this year, earlier it was broccoli. I have had to use repelled repeatedly early on. It was rabbits and squirrels and chipmunks eating the seedlings from the start. Lost all of my potatoes to raccoons despite my best efforts, or chipmunks as well. But I am getting more tomatoes and loving it! They taste great. Next up the cucumbers. Next year, I will be doing things differently. But I will still grow Cherry tomatoes and the big ones and cukes and broccoli. Plus a few others and I will keep at it with the potentates, raccoons or not!! 😉
You likely have a coyote that has moved into your area. Once they come, the chipmunks, squirrel, rabbit and feral cat population drop dramatically. In a year or two they’ll leave (no more food) and the cycle will begin again.
Could be a small hawk or two. They thin them out for me up here in NH.
Nope. It’s chipmunks.
Just got back from watering my garden. found another potato on the ground half eaten. Raccoons got it, ah well. Next year I will try again. The tomatoes both regular and cherry are looking good. Will be picking more tomorrow. I did not know that about the soil in Georgia Denny.., interesting.
Lucky you-our garden burned up this year here in w Texas as did almost everyone elses’ around here. Last year we had so many tomatoes, we were in heaven.
Wish I could get a few every week. Forgotten what a good tomato could taste like anymore. Even the ones I get at a Farmer’s market have so much water in them.
The dinners sound delicious!
You probably have a snake in your yard.