This Week in the Garden
Protect Your Garden from Hungry Animals:
Use Bird Netting
Wildlife, particularly deer and rabbits, can wreak havoc on newly planted flowers and vegetables. Deer are notorious for uprooting plants, while rabbits often munch on tender greens, leading to replanting and loss of time and effort. You can keep creatures from nibbling your new plants by using bird netting. The netting is almost invisible, so it won’t detract from your flowers.
Materials Needed
To create an effective barrier, you will need:
- Bird netting
- Bamboo stakes
- Zip ties
- Landscape staples
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Installing Bamboo Stakes: Place bamboo stakes around the perimeter of your garden bed. If your bed is large you may need to place a few in the middle. Stakes should be about four feet apart and be about a foot taller than your plants. These will serve as the framework to hold the bird netting.
2. Spread Bird Netting: Carefully drape the bird netting over the stakes. Make sure there is enough extra on the edges to allow it to drape to the ground around the perimeter of your bed.
3. Attach the Netting: Use zip ties to attach the bird netting to the top of the bamboo stakes. Ensure the netting is taut but not overly tight. If you have a large garden bed, start in the middle and work out to the edge. In long beds, start on one side and work toward the other.
4. Secure the Edges to the Ground: To prevent small animals from crawling underneath, secure the edges of the bird netting to the ground using landscape staples or coat hanger wire bent in a U. Place these staples at intervals to keep the netting firmly in place.
By using bird netting, you can effectively shield your garden from unwanted and hungry wildlife. This method not only protects your plants but is also almost invisible, allowing you to enjoy your garden's natural beauty.
Related Videos: Nuisance Wildlife: Deer
Fences to Keep the Critters Out of the Garden
Replanting Pansies the Deer Dug Up
Related Resources:
Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard
Growing Pansies
Materials Needed
To create an effective barrier, you will need:
- Bird netting
- Bamboo stakes
- Zip ties
- Landscape staples
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Installing Bamboo Stakes: Place bamboo stakes around the perimeter of your garden bed. If your bed is large you may need to place a few in the middle. Stakes should be about four feet apart and be about a foot taller than your plants. These will serve as the framework to hold the bird netting.
2. Spread Bird Netting: Carefully drape the bird netting over the stakes. Make sure there is enough extra on the edges to allow it to drape to the ground around the perimeter of your bed.
3. Attach the Netting: Use zip ties to attach the bird netting to the top of the bamboo stakes. Ensure the netting is taut but not overly tight. If you have a large garden bed, start in the middle and work out to the edge. In long beds, start on one side and work toward the other.
4. Secure the Edges to the Ground: To prevent small animals from crawling underneath, secure the edges of the bird netting to the ground using landscape staples or coat hanger wire bent in a U. Place these staples at intervals to keep the netting firmly in place.
By using bird netting, you can effectively shield your garden from unwanted and hungry wildlife. This method not only protects your plants but is also almost invisible, allowing you to enjoy your garden's natural beauty.
Related Videos: Nuisance Wildlife: Deer
Fences to Keep the Critters Out of the Garden
Replanting Pansies the Deer Dug Up
Related Resources:
Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard
Growing Pansies