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Gardening in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 offers plenty of rewards—lush vegetables, beautiful flowers, and vibrant landscapes. However, it also comes with its share of challenges, especially when it comes to the critters that inhabit the region. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs, and other wildlife can quickly turn your garden from a thriving oasis into a feast for them, leaving you with chewed-up plants, destroyed crops, and a growing sense of frustration.

In this blog, we’ll explore common animal pests in Zone 6 gardens and offer practical tips on how to protect your garden from their damage.

1. Deer

What They Are:

Deer are one of the most common—and frustrating—pests in gardens across Zone 6. White-tailed deer, in particular, are frequent visitors to suburban and rural areas, especially during the winter months when food becomes scarce. They have an insatiable appetite for tender shoots, shrubs, flowers, and even trees.

Why They're a Problem:

Deer can strip plants down to their stems and even uproot small bushes and trees in their quest for food. Their preference for tasty leaves, flowers, and fruits can cause significant damage to gardens, often leaving behind browsed plants with ragged edges or completely defoliated branches.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Fencing: A tall, sturdy fence (at least 8 feet high) is one of the most effective ways to keep deer out. Deer can jump surprisingly high, so make sure the fence is tall enough to discourage them from attempting to leap over.
• Deer Repellents: There are several commercial deer repellents available, including sprays that use natural ingredients like garlic, hot pepper, or predator urine to deter deer. You can also make your own using a mixture of garlic, eggs, and water.
• Plant Deer-Resistant Plants: While no plant is entirely deer-proof, some varieties are less appealing to them. Consider planting lavender, daffodils, herbs, or spiny or prickly shrubs (like holly or barberry).
• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Deer are easily startled by sudden movements, and motion-activated sprinklers can surprise them and encourage them to stay away.
• Human Presence: Deer are wary of human activity, so spending time in your garden can help keep them away. Additionally, hanging up items like aluminum foil, old CDs, or reflective tape can scare deer off due to the light and noise they create.

2. Rabbits

What They Are:

Rabbits are another common garden pest in Zone 6. Eastern cottontail rabbits, in particular, are widespread and can be found in rural and suburban areas. They tend to target young, tender plants, especially those close to the ground.

Why They're a Problem:

Rabbits can eat just about anything in your garden—flowers, vegetables, herbs, and even tree bark. They often nibble on plants during the night or early morning hours, leaving behind clean cuts that can stunt plant growth or completely damage crops like lettuce, carrots, or beans.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Fencing: To keep rabbits out, you can build a chicken-wire fence around your garden with the mesh placed at least 2-3 feet high. Bury the bottom of the fence about 6 inches below ground to prevent rabbits from burrowing under.
• Repellents: Many commercial rabbit repellents use garlic, pepper, or predator urine to create an unpleasant scent for rabbits. You can also use homemade sprays made from hot pepper and water to deter them.
• Plant Rabbit-Resistant Plants: Rabbits tend to avoid plants with strong scents or tough textures. Consider planting lavender, rosemary, garlic, or onions in your garden to naturally repel them.
• Planting Strategy: If rabbits are particularly troublesome, try planting hardy crops like beans, cabbage, and onions in raised beds or pots that rabbits can’t easily access.

3. Squirrels

What They Are:

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders and are notorious for raiding gardens, particularly in the fall when they are gathering food for winter. Squirrels love digging, which makes your garden bed a prime target for them.

Why They're a Problem:

Squirrels will dig up bulbs, uproot young seedlings, and chew on the fruit of trees or shrubs. They can be particularly destructive to crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash, and they have a tendency to burrow into raised beds.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders: If you have bird feeders, consider placing them on squirrel-proof poles or using feeders designed to be out of squirrels' reach. Squirrels will often raid bird seed and then turn their attention to nearby garden plants.
• Repellents: Squirrels dislike strong smells like cinnamon, garlic, and hot pepper. Spraying your plants with a pepper-based repellent or dusting them with cayenne pepper can deter squirrels.
• Fencing and Netting: Install small-mesh hardware cloth around garden beds, or use chicken wire to protect plants from digging and nibbling. You can also cover young trees or shrubs with mesh to prevent squirrels from stripping their bark.
• Motion-Activated Devices: Motion-sensor devices like sprinklers or noise-making gadgets can startle squirrels and discourage them from entering your garden.

4. Groundhogs (Woodchucks)

What They Are:

Groundhogs are large, burrowing rodents that are found in rural and suburban areas. They’re known for their voracious appetite for vegetables and are particularly fond of tender crops like lettuce, peas, and beans.

Why They're a Problem:

Groundhogs can cause extensive damage to your garden in a short amount of time. They feed on a wide variety of plants and can also dig tunnels that damage roots, disrupt the soil structure, and create unsightly holes in your yard.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Fencing: As with rabbits, groundhogs can be deterred with fencing. Use a sturdy wire fence at least 3 feet high, with the bottom buried 6 inches below the soil to prevent them from digging underneath.
• Repellents: Groundhogs dislike the scent of garlic, castor oil, and hot pepper. You can use commercial repellents or make your own homemade spray to discourage them.
• Trapping: If groundhogs have already become a persistent problem, you may need to set a live trap to capture and relocate them. Make sure to check local laws regarding the relocation of wildlife before proceeding.
• Predator Presence: Groundhogs are naturally afraid of predators like dogs and foxes. Keeping a dog in the yard or using motion-activated devices can help keep them away.

5. Raccoons

What They Are:

Raccoons are nocturnal animals known for their dexterous paws and cunning behavior. While they can look cute, they’re highly destructive in the garden and often cause significant damage when they raid.

Why They're a Problem:

Raccoons are notorious for eating fruits like tomatoes, berries, and corn. They’ll also dig up gardens in search of insects, roots, and bulbs. Their ability to open containers or raid trash cans makes them especially troublesome.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Secure Garbage: Keep trash cans tightly sealed and avoid leaving food out overnight to prevent attracting raccoons.
• Fencing: If raccoons are a major issue, build a strong fence around your garden, at least 4-5 feet high and reinforced with chicken wire buried about 12 inches deep to prevent digging.
• Motion-Activated Lights: Raccoons are shy and dislike bright lights. Installing motion-sensor lights around your garden can help deter them from entering.
• Repellents: Raccoons dislike the scent of ammonia or mothballs. Placing these around the garden can make the area less inviting for them.

6. Mice and Voles

What They Are:

Mice and voles are small rodents that can infiltrate gardens and burrow into the soil. Mice are more likely to target food storage, while voles will chew on roots and tubers.

Why They're a Problem:

These small rodents can cause significant damage to young plants, especially root crops like carrots, potatoes, and bulbs. They will often nibble on the roots, which can lead to stunted growth or the death of the plants.

How to Protect Your Garden:

• Rodent-Proof Fencing: Use hardware cloth or small-mesh wire to create barriers around vulnerable plants and raised beds.
• Repellents: Rodents are sensitive to strong smells like peppermint oil and garlic. You can soak cotton balls with these scents and place them near affected areas.
• Trap and Relocate: Live traps can be used to catch mice and voles, but you’ll need to check them frequently and relocate the animals away from your garden.

Conclusion

Wildlife in Zone 6 can pose significant challenges to gardeners, but with the right tools and strategies