It wood be time to get the shotgun with that gopher. They do have deterrents for them they claim work. Man you got a sweet setup a growing. I sure miss NorCali, least for the growing seasons. What I wood give for the rains to hold out till mid-Oct. Hey least it's looking like we are going to have aIndian Summer here. Weather is finally looking like summer here. Been cold and rainy here. Hell even got bud rot on one of my auto's I got out there. You could try wrapping aluminum foil around the base. Two layers with hot pepper sauce between them. Not sure if that wood work but couldn't hurt? Great looking gardens. Keepem Green