Pit, I have a major squirrel problem. The little shits are eating all my green tomatoes. Back on the farm the solution would have involved a .22 and a stew pot, but in one of the denser neighborhoods in Greensboro I have to be a bit more discrete. So far, the only thing that comes to mind is putting varmint net over the whole garden (which would be a pain in the ass for harvesting and pruning, but better than getting no tomatoes at all). Anybody have a better non-lethal solution?
I use bird netting. Works great for me. Re the cost of a raised bed, I use bricks (three high on each side). Maybe cost me 20 bucks; throw in ten for Black Cow, and homemade compost, I doubt I spent $100 bucks on my entire garden. $15.00 for re-purposed food grade barrell was my biggest saving.