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Massillon, Ohio

1. I pre-mulched the patch (all 250 ft.) with 4" of shredded straw. So far, so good: No mud with all this rain, and hallelujah, no deep gullies which I've had every year because the patch is on a slope lengthwise and width wise. But I've been wondering - have I bought myself future problems?
2. This morning there were hundreds(?)of divots in the straw. A couple of people said it was probably from skunks. If so, will they harm the pumpkin plants? Would Liquid Fence or Repelsall help?
Glenna

6/10/2006 8:34:54 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If Skunks are making the Divots they are after the grubs. A skunk will not harm your plant. They are like a wild cat with an odor problem. Eventualy it will move on. Do not shoot it or trap it.

6/11/2006 10:43:46 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I agree with Jim, never seen or heard of a skunk damaging a plant of any kind. I live a few hundred yards from a river here and for some reason a lot of skunks seem to follow the terrain. I've seen a lot of sign over the years but never any crop damage.

6/12/2006 2:27:43 AM

Sacramento, CA

You trying to say your patch stinks?

6/12/2006 11:43:50 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Well actually, if it did stink, I might know for sure that skunks are having a midnight party. The plants have been completely covered at night, so no chance of critter damage yet if it is not skunks. But in a couple more days the plants will outgrow the coldframes and will be on their own at night. I have many recently planted flowers that have been pulled out - no damage - and laying 2' from the hole. I'm thinking this is from raccoons, but don't think they are the pumpkin patch critters. What do you think?

6/12/2006 4:45:18 PM

No matter "what" is making the divots,,I would be concerned as to "what" they are after,,if it is grubs you have bigger long term problems for your 'kins.

Better do a little hands and knees search tonight and see if you see anything under the mulch, could be interesting meeting your new friend !!

6/12/2006 5:22:04 PM

addison Il

a skunk is a good thing he eats grub and loves mice we have a skunk in our patch have seen him a couple times he doesnt touch the plants and we have had no mice so if your careful and respect him he will pay you back with a vermin free patch after all whos gonna go near a skunk.

6/13/2006 3:48:53 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Hey curvy thats a new one on me! Never knew skunks went after mice....voles also I presume. Heck if thats the case I'm gonna try to entice a couple more of those stinky critters in here!

6/13/2006 4:28:13 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

As said above, skunks won't harm (well they never have here) your patch and are just after grubs and other goodies to eat. They will also knock out a large portion of rats and mice that may live in your area. Skunks are actually a very beneficial animal, just don't scare them or trap them by accident.

6/13/2006 5:12:25 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Sorry, forgot the links;

http://www.fundwildlife.org/coexist/skunks.html

http://www.laanimalservices.com/wildlife_skunk.htm

http://www.eapl.com/wildlife_problems_skunk.html

6/13/2006 5:19:15 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Thanks everyone for all the great info. So I will consider myself lucky to have a skunk patrol. But should I apply Merit for grubs? I did a May application. If so, should I avoid the area of the plants so as not to kill the mychorrizal I used when transplanting the seedlings?

Boy! This is complicated business!
Many thanks, Glenna

6/13/2006 8:23:55 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Nana,

Merit applied in May won't stick around long enough to have a great deal of impact on this years grubs which will hatch in late August & through September. It will catch early hatching grubs but might miss the later ones.

If you reinforce the Merit in late June you won't harm Mycorrhyzae. I would recommend it.

6/13/2006 10:43:33 PM