What ate my rhizomes, and how do I stop them?

[erwos]

First time grower here. I planted some Cascade and Fuggles rhizomes using a very simple tent trellis setup. Unfortunately, a week or so after planting the rhizomes, some sort of critter decided to dig under the chicken wire fences and eat about half the rhizomes. I live in a suburban area outside DC, so I've got the usual rabbits, deer, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, etc.

What can I do about this? I admit that I didn't dig terribly deep, under the assumption that the shoots were at risk, not the rhizomes themselves. I've ordered some animal repellent and am going to take a stab at planting another batch of rhizomes, but is there some sort of trick of the trade I'm missing? I'm not really much of a gardener, so even what might seem like obvious advice would be appreciated. Would dumping mulch on top help?

Here's a picture of my setup, in case it helps visualize what happened:

 

[TeeJo]

A crawling baby could push their way under that wire, making it largely just a PITA to mow around, and otherwise ineffective.

A stake or pin to hold the wire at ground level every foot or so around the lower edge would make it a little harder. Or lay our a couple pieces of wood at ground level and staple the wire to them to provide the barrier.

Get a cheap game camera and set it in the yard. You'll find the actual culprit pretty quickly.

That a chain link fence? Harden off your yard, against the rabbits. Think like you are trying to fix the prison fence! Any gaps, small holes, etc., need to be repaired. Or, you end up feeding the rabbits. Otherwise it's an air rifle, flashlight, and a Hasenpfeffer recipe.

Some raised planters to put the plants in would also stop them from falling victim to the lawnmower, eh. Just saying. If you stuck a raised, bottomless box over each location, it would get the rhizomes up above the rabbit zone to get them started. Lift the frame off after they are going well, and they should do very well. Mulch in around the resulting mound of soil, to retain moisture and feed the plants.

TeeJo

 

[nagmay]

I vote for Honey Badger.

 

[ffaoe]

Could possibly be squirrels. They had been digging in my hop pots. I sprinkled some blood meal in them and that seems to be keeping them away for the moment.

 

[tjpfeister]

I've known squirrels to dig in my nursery pots, but they've never gone after the rhizome itself (presumably looking for acorns). Rabbits will get the sprouts. I know of nothing around where I'm at that would dig them up, other than maybe my stupid dog on one of his more stupid days.

 

[maierhof]

Here in northern CA we often are overrun by deer coming down from the hills to eat the roses to the ground or almost anything they can reach. I know it is not the same critter BUT I have heard that a lot of people get a motion detector which is attached to a water head - you turn it on at night and it sprays the area that moves. This should send the critter running... unless they get smart and just brave the water which can happen I hear.

Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_6ge8s9hj69_b

EDIT: I know I know - it is not a good use of water but hey it beats using poision

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

I have had groundhogs eat them here in my field in PA! The deer leave them alone and just do weeding here. I still have some rhizomes if you need them the Cut off date for orders will be May 18, I have not had good luck with shipments not getting to hot after that

 

[erwos]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I've replanted with new Cascade hops, and made some adjustments:
1. Tamped down the soil with additional topsoil.
2. Put 2-3" of undyed mulch on top.
3. Sprayed some small critter repellent near the plantings.

We'll see if these rhizomes fare any better. Cautiously optimistic! I am going to staple down the fences when I find the time, but I suspect that's not going to do very much in the long run.

 

[Yoseff]

I'm in a constant battle with chipmunks eating my hops. They seem to especially like the cones.

Bloodmeal works wonders. It's natural, will repel most any herbivores, and when it rains it will leech into the soil adding nitrogen and other trace minerals.

 

[Brauer]

I vote for Honey Badger.

https://youtu.be/4r7wHMg5Yjg

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

I just caught a Chipmunk chewing on some I started in pots 5 minutes ago!