How to Get Rid of Possums from your Garden

 

Last Summer my peaches kept disappearing and I thought it was squirrels again, I later found out it was Possums and even though some people think they are cute..me not so much so I began searching for ways to deter them.

Most of the ideas were just things we had already been doing for other pests so not much help. I needed a better method. 

Play music sounded like it was meant to be funny but I decided to give it a try and will update here about how it worked.

The usual tactics to deter possums are;

1. Install a fence

2. Remove unnecessary food sources.

3. Use repellents such as peppermint oil and predator urine.

4. Trap and relocate, which is really not an option for me.

While doing my research I found out facts I did not know about the little creatures.

1. Possums are immune to certain types of snake venom.

2. They have a prehensile tail that they can use to grasp onto objects.

3. "Playing possum" is a defense mechanism they use to avoid predators.

4. Their average lifespan is 1-2 years in the wild.

5. Possums are marsupials, not rodents.

6. In some areas and it may be illegal to harm or kill them. If you're unsure, it's best to consult with a wildlife professional before taking any action.

7. And last but not least is the spelling of Possum. Is it Opossum or Possum? 

And the answer is : In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. 

So both ways are acceptable even though they are actually two different animals.

Last thoughts

Remember, it's important to be respectful and mindful of wildlife, even if they are causing some damage to your garden. So have fun and get creative with these tips, but always remember to prioritize the safety and well-being of both you and the possums.

If you know of some tricks please leave them in the comment section below.

Clematis

 

Container Gardening

If you are a garden lover, but have no space for gardening don’t worry you have options.

One is to try container gardening. This way of gardening comes with the benefit of being cost effective and mobile. I have seen videos where people have used 5 gallon buckets and storage totes and even though they have plenty of space for a garden this method works well and is very cost effective kind of like raised bed gardening. Two things to try is herbs and mushrooms. 

• Most plants that grow in the ground can grow just as well or maybe better in a container. 
• Container gardening requires a smaller budget in the initial stage.
• It can be done on a balcony, patio or deck, even a window.
• Low maintenance.
• Versatile because it is easy to move from place to place. 

 Just like with any gardening you will have to plan out your garden containers, making sure to plant the flowers, shrubs, or vegetables in the right soil and adding drainage. If you have doubts buy a few plant you want to grow, a good bag of potting soil (does not have to be the most expensive),and a container and like I mentioned earlier you can grow some vegetables in 5 gal. buckets, just make sure they are the food safe variety. You will also have to decide if you want to grow organically (no chemicals) when you are choosing your soil. 

You can set up a small compost bin by filling a 5 gallon bucket with dirt, add holes to the top and sides. When you have scraps (no meat or dairy) drop it in the bucket mix around the dirt and cover with the top ( and don't forget to add a few red wigglers to help digest those scraps.

So, are you ready to start container gardening yourself…