I recently planted some purple kale and arugula in our front garden bed a few weeks ago here in West Sacramento. Everything was going really well until I discovered one morning this week that all of our kale plants had been nibbled on. 

We figured through surveillance that the culprit was Ace, our neighborhood cat. 

Ace

We have since secured our perimeter around our veggies with chicken wire, but then I told my boyfriend, "You know cats can jump!" We then modified our structure and added a top. I now take our convertible top off in the morning and put it back on at night to ensure consistent coverage. 

photos by Lindi Houser

Raccoon Portrait by Charles Patrick Ewing is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

As a gardener, you spend much time and energy tending to your plants and landscape. You water, weed, till, plant, trim, fertilize, and take pride in what your labors produce: fruits, vegetables, flowers, and a pleasing environment. But how do you feel when those precious products are disturbed or worse, destroyed? Snatched from the vine, plucked from the soil, chewed right off the stem!

I know how I react - I go into battle mode. I examine the damage and scrutinize the crime scene for evidence or telltale markings and remnants. Research and more research follow. Mostly, my adversary turns out to be an insect, nematode, virus, mold, or disease of some sort. But this time it was different. The damage I witnessed was located around the perimeter of the backyard lawn, in the mulched and irrigated areas. Each morning, especially when the sprinklers had been on, I'd find holes dug through the bark into the soil. At first, I found it in just one section, then spread it to other locations. When the digging encroached on my veggie garden and lawn, I knew I had to take action.

Straight away to research! I knew it had to be a “critter” of some sort, but which critter? My sleuthing armed me with two facts: the digging occurred at night and the holes were predominantly conical in shape. I found three likely suspects, raccoon(s), skunk(s), and opossum(s).

These nocturnal looters have very similar M.O.s and are most probably in the neighborhood but not residing in my yard. Besides being active at night, they all dig holes in search of grubs and worms but are equally satisfied snacking on snails and slugs. They all are true omnivores, meaning plants and animals fit into their diet. All three critters will consume fruits (explains the missing apricots and grapes from my yard), berries, nuts, acorns, and various grains, not to mention fish, frogs, lizards, insects, turtles, rabbits, mice and rats, plus ground-nesting bird eggs. In suburban settings, they're particularly fond of pet food left out for Fido.

Unfortunately, there were too many similarities at this point to determine what animal was responsible for my messed-up mulch and lawn. That is until I discovered their digging techniques for grub and worm foraging in lawns differentiate one from the other. (An “ah-ha” moment!) Raccoons like to unhinge a corner of lawn and roll up a section to reveal grubs. Skunks dig conical holes measuring approximately 3-5 inches wide to unearth their prey, while opossums barely get their nails dirty, scratching only the surface.

Striped Skunk Clementine by Smithsonian's National Zoo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Eureka! I saw conical holes in the lawn - it was skunk handiwork! I identified the prime suspect, sight unseen.

Next steps: deterring the offender(s). Again, many similarities surfaced regarding the methods of dissuading skunks compared to raccoons and opossums: food source elimination, fright inducers like flashing lights, harsh sound-producing devices (my neighbors would love that in the middle of the night), motion-activated water sprinklers, and scent repellents. I opted for a one-two approach, meaning eliminating the food source by treating the lawn for grubs and providing an all-natural scent deterrent to make carousing in my yard unattractive.

Victorious? Perhaps. The jury is still out in deliberation. All I know at this point is that I've seen no additional evidence of grub-seeking activity recently. Is that a good thing? You bet it is!

Skunk info: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/8657570159

Raccoon info: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/raccoons/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0

Opossum info: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/opossum/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0

On October 9th I had the most exhilarating experience, went on a Ramble Tour, Davis California, soaked up some forest bathing. Guess who greeted me as I stepped into the redwoods.

Father Forest was there to greet me

His first words were,

What do you see in me?

How did you find me?

Are you the first to discover my face

Today among the tall trees

Safe in my embrace?

Did you notice Mother Forest, standing tall by my side?

We both stand here before our home's entrance

We stand with pride.

Do you feel shelter as you walk through

Our space our home, which was created for you.

We provide shade and shelter

For all who care to enter.

Some come to relax and enjoy the view

Others study the plant life, and gather a few.

You are welcomed to sit or stand for a while

Gather your thoughts, take a deep breath and smile

As you enjoy a leisurely day with us

You are safe here and we will protect you.

Earlier last month, when it was in the triple digits, I was enjoying a few days' reprieve in Mendocino. While there are many things to recommend this coastal town—charming architecture, stunning ocean views, very cool bookshop complete with cat--one of the highlights is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Located a few short miles north of the town, it doesn't look like much from Highway 1, but once through the entrance, you enter another world. This sensation is particularly true if you are coming from points east where the summer heat has put a damper on your ornamentals; in these gardens, so much is in bloom, it's like springtime has never ended. The Gardens boast 47 acres of cultivated and natural spaces with well-marked trails that lead to the bluffs overlooking the ocean. There is a great variety of plant life here, but this time of year, one of the real stunners is the dahlias. The Dahlia Garden has 150 varieties and over 625 plants making for a breathtaking display. The flowers bloom from June to October, but their peak bloom time is August and September.

Also in peak bloom are the begonias and fuchsias. The Mae E. Lauer Display House showcases these plants that thrive in the North Coast climate. You can see begonia blossoms as big as your outstretched hand and fuchsias so small you almost need a magnifying glass. 

Another highlight is the Vegetable Garden and Orchard. This organic garden offers year-round produce which is donated weekly to the Fort Bragg Food Bank. Growing now is Swiss chard with its brilliantly colored stalks, lettuces, and a wonderful archway of trailing squash.

I spent about two hours leisurely wandering the grounds and was able to easily walk the entire perimeter. However, I could have absolutely spent two more hours; there was so much to see. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a place to return to multiple times throughout the year. I will definitely make a point to visit in the winter when the camellias are in bloom, in the spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are peaking, and then in early summer for the roses. All year long, there is something to marvel at in this slice of heaven by the sea.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

18220 North Highway 1

Fort Bragg, CA 95437

707-964-4352

https://www.gardenbythesea.org

Summer hours (April-October): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Winter hours (November-March): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily