blzzrdqueen

Usually I grow veggies indoors, but we are now using the room for other purposes, so we will be growing outdoors this year. We live in the city and have an abundance of squirells and giant black crows. We want to do the gardening in 5 gallon buckets and will be using bagged soil, as our soil is not at all good for gardening. What I would like to know is how do I keep the rodents and birds from stealing my veggies when they grow and keep them from destroying everything? I thought about also laying down plywood, drilling holes for drainage and putting a couple 2x4s around, kind of like a box to grow in as well, and then fencing around the box...I like this idea, but hubby likes the 5 gallon bucket idea...

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

clem55

I haven't been able to keep squirrels out of anything, so I'll be watching this! Seems like each time a tomato is ready to pick, the squirrel will take a nice big chunk, leaves the green ones alone, and wont eat the ripe one it already got to the next day either.! Smart little buggers.

wolph33

we live in the country and put leftovers out to feed the critters-and very seldom do they bother the garden-guess we are lucky.

redkimba

You could use chicken wire to make a box around the patch. I dimly remember Square Foot Gardening suggesting this for raising corn.

emerald46

Well, I've been told to put round red ornaments (or paint golf balls red) out before your plants grow too much. Birds will peck and find it is nothing and ignore the real thing. Take old shiny CD's or hard drives from computer and hang them around your garden. Birds do not like shiny things. I would think crumpled alum foil tied to string would do the same. Cut strips of both solid black and solid yellow fabric and tie to tall stakes in the garden, leaving about 12" tail. Supposedly squirrels and birds will thing these are bigger birds. These were hints from a Master Gardener here in Houston last year. I also have a big ole scarecrow and huge plastic owl at opposite ends of my garden. Then again, I believe in planting plenty to share with critters. Good luck!

luv-e

Little tender plants, we make cages to cover till they get big....the birds use the tender leaves for the nests..... We have to do this every yr!!..

Murphy

Plant marigolds near or around your plants and use a light, inexpensive netting fabric to cover plants and you will have great, fresh vegetables. I even cover my dwarf fruit trees with netting. Keep us posted on your progress to good, healthy vegetables.

sewcrafty

I actually had a problem with deer here. When I called Fish and Game to see what they recommended, they told me to try the Original Scent Irish Springs. Dang it if it didn't work! I just put the soap still in the box around things and they didn't go anywhere near it.

happyscrappy

a fence would be your best bet, but make sure you put a top on it! i have a covered strawberry cage and a covered corn cage (with a door on it!) i do have a fenced in yard, but it doesn't stop anything from munching. good luck to you. those critters do not understand sharing nor do they eat one piece at a time. just take a bite out of everyone!!! grrr.

Ramona Byrd

I've had to spray my tomatoes years ago with hot pepper sauce, or wet them and sprinkle pepper on the lovely tomatoes. My Dobermans, or at least one of them, loved tomatoes. When I could see her nosing about the vines on the fence, checking out the salad bar, I'd have to hose them off and sprinkle pepper on them to keep them safe for myself and family. I don't think squirrels like pepper either.