RootGuardTM Digger's 5-Gallon Root Guard Speed Baskets for Plants, 2 Pack

These are great gopher protection for smaller potted plants. They are super easy to slip over the root ball like a little chain-mail sock after first roughing it up a bit if it is at all root-bound, then pulling it up enough to cover the root ball, leaving enough 'sock' to roll down for an above-ground gopher barrier. There are times when heavier gopher cages are needed, especially for larger bare-root trees, but these are my go-to choice now when they can be used. I just planted 11 little elderberry trees out in my pasture and have another 8 to put in the ground, all done, or to be done, with these metal bags/baskets/socks. I will buy them again in a heartbeat.

These are great for garden plant hail protection! The 5 gallon slips over the top of a tomato cage perfectly for protection. I would not have a vegetable garden in Colorado Springs if I can't protect from hail. This is so much easier and better than hail cloth. The hoop built into this one makes it even better, and I can reuse season after season.

These mesh baskets are inexpensive and easy to install, but an experienced gardener told me that gophers will chew through mesh baskets. I have used the stiff baskets previously and will likely continue to do so. The higher cost works better than replacing mature plants.

They are super easy to use, but at quite a price. I can only afford them for the "must have" spots. Otherwise, I use more traditional basket products.

I got the dual packet of Digger's 5 gallon speed buckets for a new grapevine I'm putting in. We have a plague of voracious desert ground squirrels, & also rats & gophers. They are professional destroyers of all things green & growing. So I used one bucket for the grape root & it works a treat! It can be connected easily to the larger hardware cloth cage it will have to live in to survive, which is handy. Now I have a spare bucket & a brand-new Lithops collection needing protection both indoors & out. The cats want to graze the potted plants & the squirrels want to vandalize them. I needed an easy portable cage. So I inverted the bucket over my pot of succulents & weighted the curled edge with rocks against our high winds & smooth critter criminals. AH-MAZING! So far, all foliage forays have been foiled. I'm getting more for the rest of the succulents being munched on by the creatures. Protection is not just for root balls anymore!

We have a terrible case of gophers/ground squirrels that have been eating the roots right off of newly planted roses! Grrrr. It’s early in the season to see how these work, but so far I’ve planted 8 new roses (3x5gal, and 4 bare root 2gal) using these baskets. They are easy to use, look like they will work, and are priced very affordably. I’ll know more by June, but for now I’m impressed and hopeful that these are effective. What a great idea!

My yard backs up to an open field so lots of underground critters consider my yard and flower beds part of their territory! I planted 4 Rose of Sharon plants in August 2025 using these root guards. And all 4 are still healthy and thriving in October. So far these guards work to deter the pesky unwanted dirt movers!

Best for protecting larger plant roots. If you have voles you need these!! Easiest to use with circular bottom and generous size.