It's always something tormenting the hard-working farmer.

Whether it's squirrels or gophers or drought, it's always something.

This year there are some rumblings about the latest tormentors -- Skunks! Have you noticed small shallow holes being dug around the base of your plants? This is likely the result of skunks. They dig in newly watered soil looking for worms -- usually grubs of the Japanese Beetle. While skunks are not after the roots or the plant, the digging can cause serious damage to roots.

Since skunks are nocturnal and afraid of light some have tried solar spot lights. There is also talk of Milky Spore. Anyone tried that? Maybe when we get together we can share ideas about how to combat these little stinkers.