These are the best hacks to keep your garden safe from animals and insects.
Gardeners invest significant time and effort into nurturing their vegetable gardens, making it disheartening to witness their hard work being disrupted by animal and insect pests. The reality is that it is nearly impossible to physically guard the garden round the clock. However, there are effective deterrents available that can take on this responsibility and help maintain a pest-free garden. By implementing these strategies, you can safeguard your hard work and keep pests at bay, allowing your vegetable garden to flourish. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to a thriving, pest-free garden
1. Coffee grounds
Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of tender plants. The abrasiveness of the grounds coupled with the acidity creates a barrier that deters slugs and snails.
2. Human hair
Deer that aren’t accustomed to people dislike the scent of humans. Put hair clippings in old tights or nylons, then hang them around the perimeter of the garden to keep deer at a distance.
3. Bloodmeal
Sprinkle bloodmeal around garden plants to deter animals such as moles, squirrels and deer. The theory is that they don’t like the scent and avoid the bloodmeal.
4. Corn cobs in vinegar
Rabbits don’t like the scent of vinegar. Soak corncobs overnight in straight white vinegar, then scatter around the garden to keep rabbits at bay. Re-soak every two weeks.
5. Pie tin scarecrows
Hang disposable pie tins with string around the garden. The noise and flashes of light scare deer away.
6. Cornmeal
Not only does cornmeal keep weeds at bay, but sprinkling it around your plants helps if you have an ant infestation. The ants try to eat the granules, but they cannot digest it and slowly starve.
7. Forks
Stick forks in the garden soil prong side up to keep animals from munching on your plants.
8. DIY insect spray
Pulse 2 whole garlic heads with 3 cups of mint in a food processor. Add to a pot containing 12 cups of water and 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let cool overnight. Strain to remove particles and put into spray bottles, adding a squirt of dish detergent to act as a surfactant. Spray on affected leaves to kill insects.
9. Irish spring soap
Peter Cottontail is no match for your garden when you sprinkle shavings of Irish Spring around the garden. The heavily scented soap deters rabbits until it is washed away by rain.
Keeping insects and animals out of your garden space doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. These simple hacks help keep your plants safe without you needing to constantly stand guard against pests.
