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How to stop badgers from eating my sweetcorn

SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
in Problem solving
Last year we successfully grew early sweetcorn on the allotment but although we constructed a fence around it a badger managed to get more than we did.  We are planning on growing it again this year but putting it in the polytunnel so it will be more difficult for him to get at. The only thing is that I am worried he might cause damage to the polytunnel in his efforts to get the corn, is this a realistic concern or am I worrying unnecessaril
I noticed that a neighbouring allotment with a later variety didn't get their plants touched. Incidentally he also enjoyed the late raspberries but left plenty for the rest of us, he must have a sweet tooth! 
Anybody got any ideas how to put him off .I don't mind sharing but I would rather he didn't get the lot.
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Grow some early raspberries just for him as a distraction?   ;)


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Use a better fence? How did it get past the current one?
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Perhaps the current one needs an electrical current ...  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Or distracting currants.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    It obviously wasn't fixed firmly enough and he trampled it down. If it was a permanent bed for the sweetcorn it  could be more substantial but trying to get crop rotation in too makes it difficult. 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Badgers are strong, determined and intelligent. If you want to keep them out you need a wire fence, preferably sunk into the ground by about 6 -  12 inches OR an electric fence. Some people love them and seem to regard their destructive ways as amusing, but it's no joke when they demolish all you have worked on all year, as they often do.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I wasn’t joking when I suggested an electric fence ... it’s what the RSPB use to keep badgers from raiding birds‘ nests. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hampshire_HogHampshire_Hog Posts: 1,089
    @Suesyn

    Badgers are a real problem on our allotment site people try all sorts of fencing but they are really determined and just about get into anything, Electric fencing is not permitted on our allotment site so check before you consider this.

    Most have given up growing sweet corn and peas as these seem to be the most 
    vulnerable crops. 

    Interestingly my plot is right next to the scrub area and the set but they seem to leave me alone preferring to wander further afield.

    "You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
  • HelenPleasentHelenPleasent Posts: 6
    Keeping your lawn healthy and minimizing food waste may help you to keep badgers out of your garden.  
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Posy said:
    Badgers are strong, determined and intelligent. If you want to keep them out you need a wire fence, preferably sunk into the ground by about 6 -  12 inches OR an electric fence. 
    Absolutely badgers are very powerful and they can shift concrete blocks let alone a wire fence unless it is very heavy gauge and installed as Posy says. Try lacing some "bait" cobs with hot Chilli paste smeared on them. It may teach them that they are not good to eat anymore.
    AB Still learning

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