Today’s main topic on the podcast is about how to protect your garden from everything that wants to eat it before you. No matter if you live far in the country or in the heart of the city, your garden is a target for wildlife.
Deer, rabbits, birds, rodents, and bugs want to eat your garden, so I talk about a few things you can do to protect your harvest and enjoy your hard work at the kitchen table.
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How to Protect Your Garden from Hungry Pests
I want to share some friendly advice on how to protect your garden from all the creatures out there who see your veggies as a tasty treat. Whether it’s deer, rabbits, or even birds, these tips will help you keep your garden safe so you can enjoy the harvest yourself!
The Battle Against Deer
Deer are Sneaky
Deer may look gentle, but they can sneak into your garden and munch away before you even notice. Even if you live in town like me, don’t assume you’re safe – deer have no idea where the city limits are!
Put Up a Fence
A strong fence is one of the best ways to keep deer out. It needs to be about 8 feet tall to stop them from jumping over it. If that seems too high (and expensive!), you can try a double fence. Put two fences about 3-5 feet apart, and deer won’t want to jump in because they don’t like feeling trapped between the two.
Let the Dog Handle It
Got a dog? Awesome! Dogs are great at scaring off deer, and they’ll patrol your yard at night. My dog has been a big help. If you’ve got a loyal pup, consider letting them be your garden’s guard!
Try an Ultrasonic Repeller
These little gadgets make noises that animals, including deer, can hear, but we can’t. They send out sound waves that scare deer away without bothering us humans. You can find them online, and they’re pretty affordable.
- 【EFFECTIVE】With an improved coverage range up to 5, 500 Square Feet,…
- 【ADJUSTABLE SETTING】3 Operating Time: Day/Night /24 HR; 3 Modes: Motion…
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Last update on 2025-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden
Tall Raised Beds to the Rescue
Rabbits are cute, but they sure can cause trouble! The best way to stop them? Build tall raised beds. Rabbits can’t reach your plants if they’re up high. Problem solved!
Spicy Solutions
Here’s a cool trick: mix some Tabasco sauce with water (just an ounce in a gallon will do) and spray it around your garden. Rabbits and other rodents hate the spicy stuff! Just imagine their little bunny feet jumping away in shock. It’s safe, natural, and works like a charm!
Human Hair (Yes, Really!)
One of my friends swears by this: scatter human hair around your garden. He picks it up from a barber shop, and it’s supposed to freak out rabbits. It might sound strange, but give it a try if you’re having trouble with bunnies munching on your crops!
Stop Birds from Pecking Your Produce
Make a DIY Scarecrow
Birds love to swoop in and snack on your berries or veggies, but a simple scarecrow can help. While it may not be 100% foolproof (we’ve all seen cartoons with birds sitting on scarecrows), it’s worth trying.
Shiny Things Work Wonders
Birds are easily startled by shiny objects. You can hang old CDs, tie shiny ribbons, or even use pie pans to scare them away. I’ve seen gardeners tie these on trellises, and the flashing reflections keep birds out of the garden.
Pinwheels and Rubber Snakes
Pinwheels spinning in the wind can also do the trick. Heather from Homestead Hippie suggests them, and they work like a charm. Another fun idea is placing rubber snakes around your garden beds – birds will steer clear, thinking they’ve spotted a predator!
Natural Ways to Control Bugs
Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs
Not all bugs are bad! Ladybugs and praying mantises can be your garden’s best friends because they eat the bugs that want to ruin your plants. You can even buy them online and release them in your garden.
Neem Oil to the Rescue
Neem oil is a fantastic natural remedy for bugs like aphids, beetles, and squash bugs. Just mix it with water and spray it lightly on your plants. Be careful not to overdo it, though – too much can harm your plants. Another option for aphids is a simple mix of dish soap and water. Spray it on, and the aphids will slide right off!
Protect Your Garden, Enjoy Your Harvest
At the end of the day, we work hard to grow our food, so we deserve to enjoy it! These tips should help keep pests – both big and small – out of your garden. From building fences and using repellent, to trying creative tricks like spicy sprays and shiny objects, there’s a solution for every pest problem. Good luck, and may your garden grow strong and healthy!
Resources Mentioned
- Yard Sentinel, Outdoor Electronic Pest Animal Ultrasonic Repeller
- Enviro Pro 1006 Deer Scram Repellent Granular White Pail, 6 Pounds
- Deer, Rabbit, Mole, Vole, and Armadillo Scram
- predatorpee.com Article: Tabasco as a repellant
- Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil
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