Ray,
My problem with the electric fence may just have been the charger. I wasn't close to electric, so I used a battery powered one that may not have had enough zap. I had wire down to a few inches off the ground, so a coon would have had to touch it, but I suspect they could get through by using their fur as an insulator since my charger wasn't thowing lightning bolts. The deer never even tried to get into that field, even after I turned off the charger when most of the corn was gone. As to the peanut butter trick being cruel...ah well, I've even considered getting some of those electric prods you stick in the ground near whatever you want to protect. They come with a bait to attract the deer, and zap them when they stick their nose/tongue on the bait. I'm afraid deer are just really large rats to me. If I see them on my property, even during the winter, I encourage them to go elsewhere. Too much tree and shrub damage for me to enjoy Bambi anymore.
Back to potatoes.....I checked under my pile of grass clippings and there are indeed taters under there! I think since I started with a layer of dirt, most of my potatoes will be under the dirt, but I felt a few poking out. Enough so I can noodle out a few to go with the green beans I'm picking now.
Chuck
