Having squirrel dig through our veggie beds can be very annoying for people who love gardening and growing their own food . You do n’t desire squirrels to bankrupt your garden after all the work you put into construction and plant your raised layer . They should not be eating your bourgeon plants or digging up your cum .
The salutary news is there are good result to squirrel proof your raised garden beds and protect your plant without harming the squirrel . In this clause we ’ll go over some of the top proficiency to safely and humanely keep squirrel from destroy your advance bed vegetable garden or flower beds .
Why Squirrels Invade Gardens
Before dive into solution , it assist to translate what attracts squirrels to garden in the first situation . Squirrels have a natural drive to dig and forage for nutrient . Your garden beds are appealing to them because :
Squirrels are unyielding and will go to keen length for food retain these motivations in judgment can help you protect the plants they like to place most
Physical Barriers for Raised Beds
Making a physical barrier that squirrels ca n’t get through to your raised garden beds is the honest way to keep them out . Here are some ideal result :
1. Netting
Covering beds with netting is a simple and low-cost selection . Use garden - specific interlock netting with holes that are no full-grown than 1/2 inch . Steel hardware cloth also works well . The netting should be batten tightly and put out over the entire bed . Bury edges at least 6 inches underground to forestall squirrels from burrowing underneath .
2. Wire Fencing
Construct a John Milton Cage Jr. of 1/2 inch wire mesh fence around the entire raised bed border and top to create a secure enclosure . Bury the bottom border to prevent access by drudge . Chicken wire can work but squirrels may chew through it .
3. Cloches and Row Covers
report individual plants or quarrel with cloches , cloth row covers , or tunnel to produce protective barrier . This works well for lower visibility veg bed . Secure the edges tightly with stones , U - pins , or wager .
4. Garden Fabric in Pots
For potted plants , bring down garden framework to match over the grime surface and cut an disco biscuit for the industrial plant . The fabric prevents grok while still allowing the industrial plant to rise . Weigh fabric down with small stones .
5. Burlap
Use burlap as an inexpensive holey covering fire over seed bottom and newfangled transplants . It protects from savvy squirrels but allows water and fire up through . wrapper burlap snugly and wager in place .
Natural Squirrel Repellents
When physical barrier are n’t practical , natural scents and hinderance can also be very effective for repelling squirrels from garden beds :
Check beds frequently and reapply raw repellents as need . combine 2 - 3 options together works better than a single deterrent .
Scare Tactics and Devices
For a more hands - off approach shot , you may also use panic devices strategically around your vegetable garden to frighten squirrels away :
The key is vary up and moving panic devices regularly so squirrels do n’t get accustomed to them . Use in combination with other methods .
Tips for Ongoing Squirrel Prevention
Keeping squirrels away from your raised beds is an ongoing battle . Here are some useful gratuity :
With persistence , a multifaceted approach , and reinforcement during key planting times , you’re able to successfully protect your upraise beds from sneaky squirrels ! Let us get it on which solutions have run substantially in your garden .
Additional Tips from Gardeners
We call for experienced nurseryman to share their top tips for keeping squirrels out of stir beds :
“ I surround my veggie with marigolds and garlic – squirrels detest the smell . ”
“ Netting is essential but big enough holes let birds in . Use 1/4 in netting for best auspices . ”
“ Draping gunny directly on beds blocks squirrels effectively until plant are establish . ”
“ Sprinkling chilli pepper pepper onto dampish soil helps the scent stay potent after lacrimation or rain . ”
“ ironware cloth wrapped around the low-down half of beds continue out burrowers . ”
“ Motion activated sprinklers work great but have to be move around to remain effective . ”
“ Planting scented flowers like lavender and mint around the perimeter help deter squirrel . ”
“ My best solution has been stark cages of 1/2 inch wire mesh around raised beds . ”
Protect Your Garden Investment
Do n’t let teasing squirrels ruin the yield of your gardening trade union movement . With some simple , strategic solutions , you may safely and humanely keep squirrel out of your raise beds and fend off the furry garden looter . Use an integrated , multifaceted approach for salutary results . The effort to protect your beds is well deserving it when you’re able to successfully harvest basket of homegrown veggie and blossom !
Squirrel Proof Raised Garden Bed Covers for Tomato Plants
FAQ
How to discontinue squirrels from eat in the garden ?
What do squirrels hate the most ?
Why did we build a squirrel - validation inclosure for our garden ?
Squirrels . The furry little critter were foray our gorgeous garden , and what made it worse was that they were n’t even enjoying the fruits of our labor - they discarded them after just one sour bite . We were determined to put an end to this criminal cycle per second by constructing a squirrel - proof enclosure for our garden .
How to keep squirrel out of your garden ?
Choose Your industrial plant Wisely The easiest and cheap way to keep squirrels out of your garden is to not constitute flora they like to eat . Any soft or untoughened works ( imagine smooth leaves that are easy to tear ) Strawberries , Raspberries , Blackberries , Apples , Avocadoes , Oranges
How do you keep squirrels out of a squirrel enclosure ?
While the natural enclosure needs to keep the squirrels out , we need a way to get in ! So , using the same landscape poles for a frame , we build a door . We cut two of the 12 ft . planks into four equal patch and two longer side piece using a mitre saw .
Should you protect plants from squirrels ?
In wooded areas or those conterminous to parks , it becomes impossible to eject squirrel , and in these places , it makes more gumption to protect individual plants from squirrel harm . It may seem like a sight of employment , but as a bonus , you will also be keep damage from computer mouse , voles , groundhog , bird , rabbits , and cervid .
