040 Who's Eating My Tomatoes? Part 2. Barn Owl Basics.

We continue our conversation with retired horticulture professor Debbie Flower about the critters that are munching on your backyard tomatoes. Last time, we discussed the smaller pests: hornworms, fruit worms, fruit beetles, snails, slugs, earwigs. This time we tackle the larger interlopers who are getting into your tomatoes: rats, squirrels, birds, possum, raccoons, and, of course, deer. Plus, we talk with farm advisor Rachael Long about inviting an eager rodent hunter onto your property…barn owls...if you’ve got the room.Links:"Deer in My Garden" (Controlling deer with unappetizing plants) by Carolyn Singer"Managing Deer Damage" from the University of Maryland"Low Cost Fence keeps Deer Out" From Good fruit Grower magazine.Bird Netting for Garden Protection from Wilson Orchard & Vineyard SupplyGarden Animal Tracks GuideEarwig Control TipsTree Squirrel Control TipsGround Squirrel Control TipsPossum Control TipsGopher Control TipsRat Control TipsVole, Meadow Mice Control TipsSnail, Slug Control TipsPet-safe Slug, Snail control productsCopper Barriers for snail, slug control“Songbird, Bat and Owl Boxes” book info:Barn owl nest box plansUsing barn owls for rodent controlMore Info on songbirds, bats, and owlsMore episodes and info including live links, product information, transcripts, and chapters available at the home site for Garden Basics with Farmer Fred  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1004629.Garden Basics comes out every Tuesday and Friday. It's available wherever podcasts are found.Got a garden question? Call and leave a question, or text us the question: 916-292-8964. E-mail: [email protected] or, leave a question at the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram locations below. Be sure to tell us where you are when you leave a question, because all gardening is local.All About Farmer Fred:Farmer Fred website: http://farmerfred.comDaily Garden tips and snark on TwitterThe Farmer Fred Rant! BlogFacebook:  "Get Growing with Farmer Fred"Instagram: farmerfredhoffmanFarmer Fred Garden Videos on YouTubeThank you for listening, subscribing and commenting on the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast and the Beyond the Garden Basics  Newsletter.