Mine has been in the ground since mid March; tomato plants have blooms on them. The garden didn't do didly last year; this year I put ground up egg shells and some epsom salts in the holes and mixed it with the dirt before planting; they are doing 'better'. Who knows if produce will materialize. I started saving all my egg shells; rinse them out and let them dry. Then when you get a bunch I put them in the blender and pulverize them. Almost to a powder. Then store them in a mason jar. Will see how it goes come end of summer. Given we don't get much rain I had to plant early and they maybe fried from the sun/heat come July. I DO have my garden area fenced in, so far, critter wise, it's been fine for many years. Good luck. You might get your soil checked to see what it might be missing nutrient wise. You might have to add something to help things grow better.