Ive had a problem with gophers in my raised bed they would tug at my pansys then inside the hole and they were gone and did the same with some other plants nibbling on roots. I now have those poles that make a sound that deters them. So far they have no touched my Sweet William that sprouted from seed or my remaining violets or lavender. Do i dare just plant lettuce and pansys and a squash an see what happens? I dont want the extra expense of those metal cages you bury. also last year some garden pest was digging in my self watering planters. How do i avoid that this year? I plan to plant veggies in them? could this have been raccoons?