I had issues with possums or squirrels or chipmunks or rabbits (not certain) gnawing on some flower plants last summer. I put some orange peels nearby, and that stopped. It might have been a cat, now that I think about it; we have a couple of ferals in the area.
Well, they loved my alkaline soil. I don't think it's Ph related
Stocks are another flower that's been really tough for me. They definitely don't like our hot summers... They grow mediocre in areas that get morning sun and bright shade the rest of the day. But they really opened up in cool fall and over the winter until it got down below freezing for an extended period. Most of our winter is in the 40s and they do very well at that temperature...
I've read that they can grow well in poor soil and even act somewhat as a soil fixer. However I don't think they do well here because of the hot summers. The places where they seem to grow the best - either through native dandelions or seeds I've sowed - is in areas that get shade in the afternoon and hottest part of the day.
The GHO are kept in check my the two crows I feed. Both the eagles and the GHO have plenty around here to eat without bothering with me.
I have a lime tree that kicks out a lot of golf ball size lime and they turn yellow and drop off. I cut them in half and put them where I see poop. They may work for a little while, but not for long. I think chili pepper flakes work better.
