@PeppermintDreads ooh! i just thought, have you tried covering your plants with mulch in the winter? a 2 inch layer can make a huge difference. and i never paid for it, i just take all my stuff from the garden thats dead or whatever and make a compost pile. i just us the stuff that hasnt degraded all the way yet. and whats left is great for mixing in the dirt at the start of the next spring for added nutrients..

Lavender can be really hardy if you get the right variety for where you are!

@PeppermintDreads try to stay away from things like lillies then. thats death to kitties. there are a few things that are safe but effective at keeping critters away. my grandma sprinkles finely ground pepper near her plants. critters smell it from a ways off and are generally smart enough to leave it alone. also i heard green apple extract is good against dogs, but i havent actually tried it. also i planted a special patch for my critters that had things like catnip, carrots, strawberries. things that critters love. the cat was easy, because it loved the catnip and didnt care about the rest of the plants after it had that. the dog took a bit more training, but she learned pretty fast that she was allowed to eat and dig there, but the rest was off limits. you could try something like that.