By me the squirrels. But also mice. Depends on sizeI got out some pea seeds just for planting in my 2X4 "pole bean" raised beds. However, I discovered that the new beds I just had filled had been dug up pretty bad...
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That bed was nice and level just the day before when I filled it. I'm thinking maybe squirrels got into it? Maybe birds? We have lots of rabbits running around the yard, but the raised beds are 16 inches high and I have never seen a rabbit jump up into a bed. If anyone knows the signs of these digging holes, let me know what is doing it. Thanks.
Well, I decided I would have to build a protective topper for the raised bed before I planted the pea (or bean) seeds. I used the 2X4's that I recently salvaged from the pallet made up entirely of 2X4's and put together with Torx screws. I made a couple of 2X4 foot frames with that wood and used some old chicken wire I had from previous projects...
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Turned out to be quite a job using that old chicken wire. I had to stretch it out with one hand while stapling it with the other. If I had used brand new chicken wire, it would have gone much easier. But I did not want to go to town to buy new chicken wire for just a couple of small frames. So, I used what I had and got it done.
Here is a picture of the raised beds with the protective toppers on them....
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That chicken wire topper should protect the young seeds and plants long enough to establish themselves. After that, I don't think they will get dug out by whatever has been digging in the raised beds.
I might make a few more of those chicken wire protective toppers. It is nice that I can use a couple of those 2X4 foot toppers and use them to protect my standard sized 4X4 foot raised bed if I need it.