4 Tips to Protect Your Garden
Keeping your vegetable garden alive is already challenge enough dealing with watering techniques and soil replacement. Pest control can become an even bigger thorn in your side, especially if you want a natural approach to dealing with nature’s challenges. You can build an aluminum wire fence, but that won’t keep the bugs out. There are humane methods to deal with this issue, but it does take some planning to keep your garden safe.
Garden Boxes
A garden box is like a raised platform where you grow veggies. You can utilize some stock lumber to built this advantageous structure. Raised gardens tend to keep soil warmer and prevent people trampling the soil. Animals may also find themselves deterred, either because entrance is difficult or the conditions are unfamiliar. Rabbits especially are reluctant to move on a raised garden because it will expose them to their own natural predators.
Design
Design your garden so that the pathways between each section are as narrow as possible. This slimmer pathway keeps a clear walkway to and from your garden, which works to help you maneuver and protects your crops. Like a raised garden, a walkway is exposed ground. Few animals will be willing to tread there unless they are desperate for food.
Planting
Planting different species of vegetable in the same space also has a positive effect for the overall health of your garden. It keeps soil fresh, and plants like garlic and onion will repel small animals. These tasty veggies are great for human consumption, but act as a natural barrier for animals.
If you’re still experiencing crop loss from animal ingestion, you can plant a ruse garden that will attract wildlife instead. A ruse is a military term, meaning a fake or a trick. Rabbits and small animals love wild flowers like dandelions and goldenrod. These plants cost you next to nothing to plant, and you can store them safely near your garden in their own plant box. Another idea is to put them near the tree line, keeping the animals well away from your garden proper.
Fencing
An electric dog fence will administer a small shock to any animals that attempt to breach the fence line. The shock is non-lethal, but it is a strong deterrent. Try arming the fence for a few days, then disarm the fence and see if your crops stay healthy and fresh. You may be able to deter and train animals to stay away based on your fence.
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The preceding guest post was written on behalf of Farm Supply Store, suppliers of a wired or electric fence for farms and home gardens.