Yes, groundhogs will eat tomato plants, and they cause real damage

Groundhogs eat tomato plants regularly—both the fruit and the leaves. They are herbivores that forage for soft vegetation, and young tomato plants with tender growth are especially attractive to them. A groundhog can strip a plant bare in a single visit, eating leaves, stems, and developing fruit. If you have groundhogs in your yard, protecting your tomato patch is not optional; it is a matter of when they will find it, not if.

Groundhogs (also called woodchucks) are most active in early morning and late afternoon. They dig burrows and can live in the same area for years, returning to the same feeding spots. Once a groundhog discovers your tomato plants, it will come back repeatedly unless you remove the attraction or block access.

Key Takeaways

  • Groundhogs eat both tomato fruit and foliage, and will return to the same plants night after night if not stopped.
  • A physical barrier—fencing at least 3 feet tall with 12 inches buried underground—is the most reliable way to protect tomato plants from groundhog damage.
  • Groundhogs are most active at dawn and dusk, so you are most likely to see damage in the early morning.
  • Removing brush piles, tall grass, and other cover near your garden makes the area less attractive to groundhogs looking for shelter.
  • Trapping and relocation require a permit in most states and should be done by someone with experience handling wildlife.

What damage groundhogs do to tomato plants

Groundhogs eat the entire above-ground part of a tomato plant. They bite off leaves and stems, leaving ragged edges (not the clean cuts you see from pruning shears). They also eat ripe and unripe fruit directly from the vine. Young plants are hit hardest because a single groundhog can consume an entire seedling in one feeding session.

The damage is usually worst in mid-summer when groundhogs are eating heavily to build fat reserves before hibernation. A plant that survives one visit may be stripped again a few days later. Unlike deer, which browse the tops of plants, groundhogs eat at ground level and can destroy a plant from the base up.

Fencing: the most reliable protection

A physical fence is your best defense. Groundhogs are diggers, so the fence must go underground. Build a fence at least 3 feet tall, with at least 12 inches buried below the soil surface. The buried portion should angle outward at the bottom (an L-shape) to stop groundhogs from tunneling under it. Use sturdy material like welded wire or hardware cloth—chicken wire alone is not strong enough.

The fence does not need to enclose your entire garden. You can build a smaller cage around just your tomato bed. Make sure there are no gaps at ground level and no loose sections a groundhog can push through. Check the fence regularly for damage, especially after heavy rain or frost, which can shift the soil and create openings.

Electric fencing also works but requires more maintenance. The wire must stay clear of grass and weeds so it makes good contact with the groundhog's fur. Battery-powered electric fences are available for gardens without nearby outlets.

Removing shelter and food sources nearby

Groundhogs need cover to feel safe. If your garden is surrounded by tall grass, brush piles, or dense shrubs, groundhogs will move in. Mow grass short around your garden beds, remove dead branches and leaf piles, and trim low branches on trees and shrubs. This makes the area feel exposed and less attractive as a home base.

Groundhogs also eat clover, alfalfa, and other legumes. If your lawn has thick clover patches, they are a food magnet. You cannot eliminate all wild food, but reducing obvious sources makes your tomato plants less of a target relative to other options in the neighborhood.

Trapping and relocation (with legal limits)

Trapping is an option, but it comes with legal restrictions. Most states require a permit to trap groundhogs, and some prohibit relocation entirely. Check your state's wildlife regulations before setting any trap. Even where legal, relocation moves the problem to someone else's property and is not considered humane by many wildlife experts.

If you do trap, use a live trap baited with vegetables or fruit. Check it daily—a trapped animal left in the sun can die quickly. Contact a licensed wildlife removal service if you are not comfortable handling a live groundhog. They know local regulations and can do the work safely.

Repellents and deterrents (limited effectiveness)

Commercial repellents—sprays, granules, and ultrasonic devices—have mixed results. Capsaicin-based sprays (made from hot peppers) can discourage groundhogs if applied regularly, but rain washes them away and groundhogs may ignore them anyway. Ultrasonic devices have no scientific evidence behind them and are generally not worth the cost.

Motion-activated sprinklers startle groundhogs and can work for a while, but the animals learn that the spray is harmless and stop reacting. If you use a repellent, combine it with fencing or habitat removal for better results. Repellents alone will not stop a determined groundhog.

Planting strategies to reduce risk

You cannot groundhog-proof your tomato plants without a barrier, but you can make them less of a target. Plant tomatoes in raised beds or containers rather than in-ground if possible—groundhogs can still reach them, but the effort is greater and they may move on to easier food. Grow extra plants so that some loss is acceptable; if a groundhog eats 30 percent of your crop, you still have a harvest.

Plant fast-growing, early-season varieties that mature before peak groundhog feeding season (late July through September). Determinate varieties that ripen most of their fruit at once may give you a harvest before damage becomes severe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a groundhog ate my tomato plant and not a deer or rabbit?

Groundhogs leave ragged bite marks and eat plants down to the base. Deer browse high on plants and leave clean breaks. Rabbits eat lower but leave small, neat cuts. Groundhog damage is usually at ground level and looks chewed rather than clipped. Look for tracks and burrows nearby—groundhogs dig large holes with mounded dirt around the entrance.

Will groundhogs eat tomato plants in containers on a porch?

Yes, if the containers are accessible. Groundhogs can climb onto low decks and will eat from pots. Move containers onto a raised surface or against a wall where a groundhog cannot approach from multiple angles. Containers on a second-story deck or balcony are safe.

What time of year are groundhogs most likely to eat tomatoes?

Late summer and early fall (July through September) are peak feeding times. Groundhogs eat heavily before hibernation and are most active at dawn and dusk. You may see damage appear overnight during this period even if you had no problems earlier in the season.

Can I use poison to kill groundhogs eating my tomatoes?

Poison is illegal in most states for groundhog control and is inhumane. It also risks poisoning pets and other wildlife. Fencing and trapping are the legal and ethical options. Check your state's wildlife agency website for approved methods in your area.

Do groundhogs eat green tomatoes or only ripe ones?

Groundhogs eat both ripe and unripe fruit. They prefer soft, ripe tomatoes, but they will eat green ones too, especially if other food is scarce. This means your entire crop is at risk from the moment fruit sets until harvest.