Plants Woodchucks Don't Eat - Knowledgebase Question

Duxbury, MA
Avatar for DinaDwyer
Question by DinaDwyer
August 23, 1998
Could you please give me a list of plants that the woodchuck will not eat. Thus far I have found him to not eat foxglove, nicotiana, and impatients. Since it makes me crazy everytime I see that he has destroyed another plant of mine, I have decided to try and plant undesirable tasting plants.


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Answer from NGA
August 23, 1998
Although extensive lists of "deer-resistant" plants have been compiled, I haven't found such a list for woodchucks. They're so wiley, I wouldn't be so sure they actually dislike the flowers you mention, or just favor your others over them. If you planted your garden with just those three plants, they may decide they like them after all!

Some gardeners have put this information to use with great success. They plant a separate bed of the woodchuck's favorite foods near their den and far from the garden, so the critter won't stray far to find food. There are many home remedies that work with various success, but the only sure-fire way to keep them away from your prized plants is with a fence. To build a woodchuck fence, use strong but bendable mesh fencing and metal posts. Build a fence that stands 3 feet tall, with the following modifications to increase its effectiveness: If possible, use a 6-foot wide mesh, and bend 12 to 18" outward slightly at the bottom, then bury this in the soil. This will prevent him trying to dig under the fence. Attach the above-ground portion to the stakes to a height of about 3", then let the remainer--1 1/2 - 2 feet--extend above the posts and bend it outward as well. When the woodchuck attempts to climb over it, he'll find himself upside down and just flop back because he's so heavy! Best of luck!

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