Why are squirrels digging holes in pots with potting soil?

by Michael
(Calgary, AB)

I have mesclun, lemon balm, jade, cacti and geraniums in pots with commercial potting soil. The squirrels are digging deep holes in the pots, usually at the stem down to the roots. I have other flowers and vegetables in pots with garden soil and they are not touched. What are the squirrels after? Any ideas how to discourage them?

Doug says that squirrels like a little variation in their diet too. :-) Anybody who can predict or explain why squirrels dig in one pot but not another is further ahead of the evolutionary curve than I am.

But I will say that if you dust your pot soils with black pepper (every few days or after rain/watering) they'll stop digging there. Dust more heavily at the beginning to give them the message.