If you've got gophers I'm assuming your out West somewhere? That's where they tend to be a big problem.
There are only two solutions to serious gopher problems. You can build raised beds, first lining the undersides with hardware cloth. This is just as expensive and a PITA as it sounds. But it deters the critters for a few years, anyway. Eventually the hardware cloth rusts through, however, and you have to rebuild the beds.
Alternatively, go with container gardening. This is feasible if you only have a few plants. Tomatoes and peppers can be grown in containers as small as five-gallon pails (which you can get for free, btw). Most gardeners opt for something larger though. Those 18-gallon Rubbermaid containers are a common choice, for instance.
I'm lucky in that several local farmers drop their cattle-feed supplement tubs off at the recycling center. These make wonderful planters---about 20 gallon capacity. And, most of all, they're free.
One tip: If you opt for containers, drill you drain holes an inch or two up the sidewalls, rather than on the bottom. Otherwise they are likely to clog up.  |