Groundhogs (woodchucks) like to eat, just as much as other small garden critters; and like rabbits and gophers, groundhogs cause destruction to agriculture from spring into fall. After all, they've spent months in true hibernation (since October) and they are ready to indulge on plants!

Generally, groundhogs are not picky eaters; and they will appear in home gardens during the early morning and evening hours to feast on crops. Here are favorite groundhog foods:

• Apples
• Vegetables: Peas, green beans, squash, carrots, and tomatoes
• Perennial/Annual Flowers
• Tree bark

To protect spring plants from groundhog damage, gardeners will need to think ahead of groundhogs by installing a metal fence with PVC. The PVC acts as a secondary layer of protection against chew marks caused by groundhogs. 

The fence will need to be trenched into the ground at least 6 inches to discourage burrowing (tunneling) attempts. Do not keep the fence taut -groundhogs can climb up to 15 feet; and they freak out when the fence gently sways. "Most burrows are 25 to 30 feet long and from 2 to 5 feet deep." (CT DEEP)