Gardening season is in full swing, and for many of us, we are lucky to have a bit of green space to tend to. Unfortunately, when it comes to gardening, unwelcome four-legged visitors can enjoy snacking on our vegetables just as much as we do.
Suppose you find yourself constantly battling invading critters from your garden. In that case, you’re in the right place – we’ll arm you with all the knowledge and tools needed so that your vegetable plants will have been well-guarded against hungry animals come harvest time. Read on for our comprehensive guide on protecting your garden from wild animals safely.
Assess Your Garden’s Risk Level
In today’s world, wild animals threaten many gardens across the country. It is crucial to assess the risk level of your garden and take necessary precautions to protect it. A garden that is not well-protected can attract animals such as rabbits, deer, and raccoons, which can cause significant damage. Understanding how animals can access your garden and taking necessary measures to prevent their entry is essential.
Installing appropriate fencing, using animal repellents, and regularly removing any attractants are practical ways to safeguard your garden. Before taking any steps, assess your garden’s risk level and consult a local expert to ensure optimal protection. Knowing how to keep animals out of the garden is the first step towards successful animal-proofing.
Secure Your Vegetables and Flowers with Fencing
Fencing is an effective method to protect your garden from wild animals. It must be strong enough to deter the animal’s attempts to enter your garden and tall enough that it cannot jump over it.
For added protection, you may opt for electric fencing, which has a higher success rate in keeping animals away. If you live in an area that experiences frequent animal invasions, it is worth investing in a tall fence that extends underground and above ground. It will serve as an impenetrable barrier for animals to pass through.
Additionally, it would help if you considered installing mesh netting over your vegetables and flowers. It will provide extra protection for your most precious plants, preventing animals from getting close enough to damage them.
Utilize Natural Repellents
Using natural animal repellents is a safe and eco-friendly way to keep animals out of your garden. Natural ingredients like garlic, hot pepper flakes, and vinegar can create an unpleasant smell or taste for animals trying to access the garden. You can also use essential oils such as citronella, lemongrass, or lavender, as animals do not like the smell.
Another great way to use natural repellents is to plant strong-smelling herbs and flowers around the perimeter of your garden. Animals will be deterred by the unpleasant scents that these plants emit. Additionally, planting certain flowers, such as marigolds, may help keep away insects that can feed on your vegetables.
Plant Aromatic Plants
In addition to using natural repellents, you should also consider planting aromatic plants that will help protect your garden from wild animals. These plants usually have pungent and strong scents that can be used to repel unwanted visitors, such as birds, deer, and raccoons.
Some of the most common aromatic plants are sage, lavender, citrus trees, and rosemary. Planting these aromatic plants around the edge of your garden will provide an extra layer of protection.
You can also use herbs such as mint, oregano, basil, and thyme to create a powerful scent that will repel animals from your garden. These herbs are easy to grow and can be harvested regularly for cooking purposes while keeping animals away.
Install Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices are an excellent way to keep animals away from your garden without harming them. These devices work by emitting high-frequency sound waves that cannot be heard by humans but can be heard by animals. The sound waves are a deterrent and will make the animals uncomfortable, causing them to stay away from your garden.
Some of these devices also have motion sensors that trigger sound waves whenever an animal is detected near your garden. It can be a highly effective way to protect your garden from wild animals while being a humane and non-invasive solution.
Add Protective Lighting
Adding lighting to your garden can be a great way to protect it from wild animals. Animals are usually not too fond of bright lights, and the sudden change in light may cause them to become startled and flee. You can install motion-activated floodlights that will turn on whenever an animal approaches your garden, scaring them away.
Additionally, you can add solar-powered lamps to mark the perimeter of your garden. It will help create a clear boundary for animals, and they may be less likely to try entering it. Installing lighting is an effective way to protect your garden from wild animals without the need for any costly materials.
Conclusion
Gardening can be advantageous, but it does come with its own set of challenges – one of which is protecting your garden from wild animals. It is essential to assess the risk level of your garden and take the necessary steps to protect it.
Installing fences, using natural repellents, planting aromatic plants, installing ultrasonic devices, and adding protective lighting are effective ways to keep animals away from your garden. Implementing these steps can help you have a beautiful and well-protected garden that will be enjoyed for many years.
Now, before you go, you should consider starting gardening as soon as today and enjoy its benefits.