Gardening Tip #6: Keep Wildlife at Bay
Dealing with wild critters has been the bane of gardeners since the dawn of time. Inventors have brought thousands of devices, traps, sprays, and gizmos to market in an attempt to keep animals away from our gardens; while some may work some of the time, most are not worth their money. So what to do with these nuisance animals?
Fence It In
The number one thing to do to keep animals away from your garden is simple: fence it in. The work and expense involved in putting a fence around your garden space will pay for itself with the peace of mind that your beautiful garden will be much safer. Rabbits, deer, squirrels, raccoons.... these and many other animals are without a doubt going to do their best to get to your beloved plants; a fence is the only thing that's going to keep them at bay. And it must be said.... even a fence isn't always going to keep them out. It's important to remember that we share this planet with lots of different species, and sometimes even our best-laid plans can't compete with a wild animal that's bound, bent, and determined to get at a garden.
If your growing a vegetable garden, a fence is a must; nothing else comes close to protecting your garden as well.
As mentioned, there are lots of remedies on the market to keep animals away from your prized plants and vegetables; some work, some don't. They all usually cost quite a bit of money. One of the more popular products on the market is a liquid deer repellant, which claims to keep deer and other animals away by applying a spray of natural ingredients that have smells many animals find disgusting. We've tried some, with varying degrees of success. The best bet will always be a physical barrier.
For more information on Liquid Deer Repellent, click HERE.
Plant the Right Plants
The type of plants you choose for your garden can also help keep wildlife at bay. Animals find some plants delicious and nutritious, but there are also plant varieties that they don't like , and can even make them sick.
One example of a flowering plant that animals can't stand are daffodils. Daffodils contain poisonous crystals that animals will avoid. Other kinds of animal-repellant plants are fritallaries, snowdrops, and winter aconite.
Do Your Homework
You're probably noticing a trend in our garden tips; in nearly every one we mention the fact that it's always a good idea to do your homework ahead of time.
Before you get your shovel in the dirt, spend some time with paper and a pencil. Plan your garden's size, location, and the type of plants you want to see in it.
Then, consult gardening books, magazines, or websites to get the best information on how best to grow your plants. Keeping invasive animals away from your garden is no exception; a little preparation ahead of time (such as fence-building) will go a long way to a care-free gardening experience!
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