How To Protect Your Garden From Critters

I’m in full garden planning mode over here. With the planning, also comes a fair amount of effort in brainstorming how to deter local critters.

If you followed my garden journey in 2018, you know I designed The Kitchen Garden to be critter free. As I look forward to another year of getting my hands dirty I’m dreaming up a few ways to expand the garden simply and economically. 

One of the reasons we love living in the forest is the wildlife. But we don’t love it when the deer, rabbits, bird, squirrels, or voles, make meals out of our veggies and flowers. I’m happy to say, last summer we only had a few bird issues. As I look to expand the garden this year I plan on using a few critter deterrents.

If You Plant It They Will Come

No matter what you plant, you will have visitors. There are a handful of insects that you want to welcome as garden residents, like ladybugs and pollinators. Also even some animals. But as you probably already know, you’ll need to be ready to defend against common garden pests like rabbits, some birds, deer, ground dwelling rodents and certain insects.

These pests can literally decimate a garden overnight so having a plan to protect your investment should be a priority.

Become Friends with your Local Nursery

One of the best ways to begin creating a plan is to learn the needs of your garden space. Know the soil, weather patterns, along with bird and pest migrations. If, like me, you are still in the garden planning phases I encourage to read a recent blog post I wrote for The Cabin Diary. I’d also encourage you to check out the one of a kind planner insert I wrote called Your Garden Planner, it will help guide you on your way.

A wonderful free resource is your local nursery. I always plan a visit or two each season. I also like to go to the nursery during peak shopping times. Gardeners are chatty, some of the best gardening advice I’ve gotten is from another friendly customer. Another little trick, go to your local nursery after you’ve broken ground for the season. Working a little bit in your garden first may generate more questions.

Think Natural and Effective

Whatever you do to protect your garden, having a mind for natural effectiveness is a wonderful way to steward the land you are tending. Sometimes though you gotta go for the strong stuff and chemicals may be the only option.

Here are a few easy natural pest deterrent options:

• To deter bunnies and deer soak pine cones in apple cider vinegar and place them along the perimeter of your beds. You’ll need to have a steady stock of pinecones ready though if you use this method, the pinecones are only effective for two or three days.
• This article is very thorough. Garlic spray, hot pepper spray, epsom salt, rubbing alcohol, and even essential oils can all be used with the right ‘recipe’ to naturally and organically deter pests from the garden.
• To keep rabbits away, black pepper, an owl decoy, pin wheels, a rabbit fence are all wonderful options. Also with a little research you’ll find that many of these ideas work for deer too.
• Voles are super hard to get rid of, my best suggestion is live traps.

Protect Your Investment

As I’ve said before gardening is about layers of effort over time. With each year’s garden, expanding your defenses with chicken wire and stakes can eventually help you create enough protection necessary to keep out birds, deer, and rabbits.

Ultimately gardening on any level is a financial investment. Understanding the needs of your area and the dynamics of the land you are tending will be worth the effort. Considering some of the obstacles you are likely going to encounter will be an important help to you along the way. But above enjoy the process and the time outside.

For you and your intentional home,