Thinking of Screaming

I am not a tech person.

I'd rather weed the garden.

I'd rather weed the garden with mosquitoes biting me until I bleed than mess with formating this website sometimes.

Today has been one of those days.

I have spent a good three hours trying to figure out how to respond to a question posted about turtles digging in the garden.

I went online.  Shockingly, most people think that turtles laying eggs in the garden is a GOOD thing.  These people probably also think squirrels are cute.

Anything that digs in the garden is not cute or cool.  I think I'd even consider taking potshots at a fairy if I found her digging up any of my beds.

My first reaction to things digging in my garden is a violent one.  No one online seems to share my opinion.

I am starting to feel the same way about formatting this website.

So, here's my answer to Candis.  I'll try to get it in the right spot SOMEHOW.

Turtles are tough.  I had a rough time with squirrels this spring.  They dug up all the peas I planted.  In the process of digging up the peas, they destroyed everything else.  For once, I wish I had let my boys have air rifles.  I am sure there is some rule that prohibits hunting squirrels (and turtles) in city limits, but it would make a good "If You Can't Beat Them, Eat Them" post.  I have recipes for squirrel stew and turtle soup.

The fact that the turtles keep coming back to the same place in your yard suggests that there is something about that spot that they like.  When I replanted my peas, I put in temporary protection for that bed.  I covered the bed with chicken wire and held it down with garden staples.  Once the peas began to emerge, I carefully lifted the chicken wire.

Your goal is to keep the turtles from finding your gardens a hospitable place for laying their eggs.  The chicken wire may be just annoying enough to get the turtles to lay their eggs somewhere else.  If your property is big enough, you could prepare another “turtle garden” somewhere else.

Chicken wire is no match for raccoons, but predators, like raccoons, won’t bother digging in your garden if they don't smell turtle eggs planted in it.  Once egg laying and hatching season ends, you can pull up your protection.

It worked with the squirrels.  Let me know if it works with the turtles.