Please Help....

[Litchick]

I have impatiens planted in planters on the patio outside. I just planted them on Saturday so they are "new" to the soil. Something has started digging in the pots and at least two bunches of impatiens are ruined. I have lived and planted here for six years and this has never happened before. I don't know if it's a cat, squirrel or something else that is doing the digging. If anyone has any ideas on how to keep whatever it is away, that would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. xx

[Thunderbird+]

I agree, it does sound like damge caused by cats or squirrels digging in your pots. A method I have often used to combat this problem is wire mesh, cut or folded into shape and layed flat around the plants, a friend of mine uses a similar method with plastic mesh to keep cats from using the garden as a toilet, I imagine the plastic would be easy to cut with secauteres. Hope this is of some help.

[sixpence]

Sometimes it works to poke long twigs and sticks upright between the new plants.Push them well into the ground so that they are firm. The spikier sticks the better. It stops cats from using the soft soil as a toilet.When the plants have grown, the sticks can be removed. It might be worth a try.

[Robinia]

I've found that foxes dig or bury food in pots - my neighbour once found a sausage in one of hers! the birds sometimes take wet compost for their nests too.
A shrub in a pot can be protected by putting large pebbles around it but not so easy with small plants.

[Litchick]

Thank you all very much for your responses. I will try the sticks and the wire mesh. Robinia, I will try the stones for my larger plants but the impatiens are quite dainty as you know. I never thought of the birds taking the wet soil. That is definitely another possibility because the soil has been very wet as it has rained a lot.

Thank you all very much -- your replies are truly appreciated. Have a nice day! :)