Keeping Animals Away

Is there a way to keep animals from eating my flower bulbs? I sprayed some crocus bulbs with an animal repellent, but the next morning, the bulbs were gone.

—Mary Koma, Allison Park, Pennsylvania

Melinda: You can protect crocus plantings with chicken wire. Start by removing soil to the desired planting depth (two to three times the diameter of the corms, which is a type of bulb). Place the corms where you want them and cover with 1 inch of soil. Next, put chicken wire over the top and sides of the planting area. Add the remaining soil. The wire will keep out the animals, and the crocus leaves will grow right through it.