How do I protect edible plants from wildlife?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Employing a layered defense system of physical and non-chemical protective strategies. First, use fragrance deterrents such as garlic borders, which repel deer. Secondly, utilize physical barriers, including properly installed chicken wire fencing, to exclude rabbits. Thus, safe zones are created while still enhancing the garden's beauty.
Construct defensive plant barriers around vulnerable areas. You will find that deer avoid crossing onion patches and rabbits keep away from lavender hedges. Interplant hot peppers near tomatoes to deter nibbling animals. In my garden, a perimeter of rosemary and sage cut deer visits by 80 percent in one season.
Plant-Based Barriers
- Border gardens with garlic and onions
- Interplant hot peppers near vulnerable crops
- Create lavender or rosemary hedges
Physical Barriers
- Install 8 ft deer fencing around fruit trees
- Bury chicken wire 6 inches deep for rabbits
- Use floating row covers for birds
Habitat Modification
- Remove brush piles near garden edges
- Install owl boxes for natural rodent control
- Create alternative feeding areas away from crops
To achieve the greatest barrier results, install the physical barriers properly like this. Bury chicken wire 6 inches deep and use a 24-inch-high fence above ground to prevent digging rabbits. For deer, use 8-foot mesh fencing extending outward. These structures will be hidden if cloaked with climbing nasturtiums or beans.
Habitat modification helps prevent wildlife from visiting. Eliminate brush piles that rabbits nest in, and prune low branches for the deer. Install owl boxes for natural rodent control. By providing extra feeding areas by planting clover away from the garden, more attention is focused on this area, rather than on the more desirable food.
Use non-toxic repellents such as a homemade cayenne pepper spray. Whenever possible, reapply after it rains and rotate formulas to prevent animals from adapting. Motion-activated sprinklers can also be effective, as they will startle deer without harming them. These solutions will protect your crops while helping to maintain balanced ecosystems in your area.
Ongoing monitoring improves safety over time. Inspect trees weekly for breaches and refresh repellents monthly. I use trail cameras, along with visual inspections, to refine my strategies. This vigilant vigilance produces a productive garden inhabited by the local wildlife population.
Read the full article: 10 Essential Edible Landscape Design Tips
