Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are wide-eyed furry creatures who can scarf down tender lettuces and beets faster than you can blurt out (or spell) “Punxsutawney”? When they are delicately nibbling grass on the lawn OUTSIDE the garden, they lend a serene, nature-in-balance feeling to the scene. But when they break through, or tunnel under, your fences, it’s a garden emergency, for sure.
Once, while walking my dog past my garden, I noticed that the edges of my ‘Bright Lights’ chard were looking a big ragged. Alarmed, I checked the fence perimeter, and sure enough, it had been breached by a little tunnel. I didn’t have a lot of time and wanted to make the repair as fast as possible, so I took a scrap of fencing, trenched near the opening, and spliced it in. Later that day, I checked, and the chard was looking worse than before. Uh-oh. I opened the gate, and sure enough, I had fenced the critter IN. There it was, looking pathetically up at me. Just for a second, I eyed a nearby shovel, but mercy prevailed. I pointed to the open gate and told it sternly to leave, which it did.
The groundhog (Marmota monax) is a burrowing, herbivorous rodent with a wide geographical range. Groundhogs are common in the eastern U.S., where they typically makes their home in fields adjoining woodlands. In fall, they fatten up, then retreat to their burrows to hibernate during the cold months.
An early spring?
Exactly how groundhogs got their reputation as weather forecasters is unclear. Legend has it that on February 2, if a groundhog aroused from hibernation sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will come early. Last year, snowdrifts nearly covered my 5-ft. garden fences for several weeks, and this year, winter has barely begun. We had a devastating snowstorm Halloween weekend, but hardly any snow since then, and it’s still possible to dig in the garden without much effort. So good luck to the groundhogs sorting all this out.
The best-known groundhog prognosticator is Punxsutawney Phil, from a town about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but there are several others, including Wiarton Willie (Wiarton is about 110 miles northwest of Toronto) and General Beauregard Lee from Lilburn, Georgia. If you’ve had it with the Weather Channel, check out any of these sites for this year’s forecast, and plan your gardening activities accordingly.
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Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix, 16 Quart
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ORGANIC COCONUT COIR: Made from recycled coconut husks, coir is a light, sustainable growing medium that holds the perfect amount of moisture for starting seeds. 100% biodegradable soil alternative. Environmentally friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. OMRI listed and certified organic. IDEAL GROWING MIX: Improve seed germination and root growth with this premium coconut fiber mix, which improves nutrients absorption! Great for flower, vegetable, herb, and more plant types. OMRI listed. Naturally disease and pathogen resistant, it will help you grow healthy live plants. EASY TO STORE & EXPAND: Each compact coconut coir brick expands into 8 quarts of seed starting mix, providing 16 quarts total. Just add water to expand! Dehydrated bricks save space until planting. Once expanded, coconut coir provides a quality growing medium for all types of plants—indoor plants, house plants, outdoor plants, and more! NATURALLY CONSERVES WATER: Renewable coco coir has excellent moisture retention and better air circulation than peat. This eco-friendly, premium seeds starting mix combines well with other potting soil and compost for container plants & raised beds. 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We treat each order with care to ensure healthy seeds, plants, soil mixes, and gardening supplies are sent in excellent condition. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we aim to make it right!
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
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MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Gardzen 3-Pack 72 Gallons Garden Bag
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High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space.
Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.
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