Spring Gopher Control Guide for Murrieta Gardens and New Plantings

Are you planning on planting a garden or some new bushes and trees this Spring?

Here are a few ideas to help gopher-proof your new plantings

Line Raised Garden Beds with Hardware Cloth

Since gophers can't chew through metal, you can keep them out of your raised garden/flower beds by lining them with wire mesh:

Plant Trees and Shrubs with Gopher Baskets

Young trees are extremely vulnerable during their first few years. Tender roots are a prime target for a hungry underground rodent.

A gopher basket is a galvanized wire mesh “basket” placed around the root ball when planting. It allows roots to expand outward while protecting the young plant’s vitals from underground chewing.

A properly installed gopher basket:
Protects the root ball while the plant establishes a mature root system

Gopher baskets come in different sizes, are inexpensive and available at nurseries and on Amazon.

Alternatively Consider Planting Trees in Pots
You can plant trees in large 15-25 gallon pots along DG pathways, dirt, or mulch landscaping to gopher-proof them.

Potted trees can add a Mediterranean elegance and instant height or movable focal points on patios without invasive roots or yard disruption - perfect for modern, drought-smart designs.

Great choices for potted trees:
(these offer fruit, shade, and year-round beauty in our sunny climate)

• Dwarf citrus (Meyer lemon, kumquat)
• Olive
• Edible fig
• Bay laurel
• Dwarf pomegranate

Take Action Quickly if a Gopher Does Appear

If you see new, fresh gopher mounds or you see old, open gopher holes suddenly fill in with fresh dirt, then you have a new gopher in your yard.

The sooner you remove the gopher, the better. Just like any pest, the longer a gopher remains in your yard, the more damage it will do, one gopher will turn into two gophers, and the likelihood of future infestations is higher.

If you aren't interested in getting your hands dirty or run into frustration with DIY gopher removal techniques, then consider hiring a licensed and insured, Murrieta local gopher control service. Check reviews on Google and Yelp to find the gopher control company who has a strong reputation for good communication, high professionalism, punctuality and great customer service. They should be the local favorite who is recommended across Facebook and Nextdoor.