1. Protect Fruit & Vegetables With A Fruit Cage
Fruit cages are very popular among fruit and vegetable gardeners for protecting against birds and smaller mammals. Usually, fruit cages are made from lightweight aluminium or steel and can be made to fit the area you are protecting. This makes them suitable for use in small and large gardens as well as allotments and smallholdings.
When selecting a fruit cage, be sure to think about the height you need. Walk-in fruit cages are perfect for growing a number of fruit and vegetables and usually have a door making access much easier. If you’re planting low-growing vegetables, a low vegetable cage may be better. These cages simply sit over your crops but do need to be removed before you can get to work.
2. Cover Smaller Areas With A Net Tunnel
If you have a small garden or are just using a small area for growing plants fruit and vegetables, a net tunnel is a brilliant way to protect against pests. Net tunnels can be purchased in different varieties including fleece tunnels, net tunnels and insect mesh tunnels. You can also purchase tunnels in a ‘giant’ and ‘standard’ size depending on your requirements.
Fleece tunnels are perfect for winter as they retain heat and moisture, creating a micro-climate for your plants to thrive. Net tunnels on the other hand are a great alternative to a fruit cage for protection against birds and small rodents. Finally, mico-mesh tunnels protect against everything from birds to slugs and flies. Micromesh tunnels are small enough to keep pests out while allowing sunlight, moisture and air through.
3. Depending On Your Plants, Use A Greenhouse
A greenhouse is one of the best solutions for protecting against pests in the garden. A well-sealed greenhouse will stop almost all pests from getting in, leaving your plants to do what they do best with no interruption.
However, there are a few downsides to greenhouses you need to consider. Firstly, they can be expensive, take up a lot of space and are tricky to install. You may also be restricted as to what you can grow in your greenhouse. Especially in the summer, when temperatures heat up, many plants struggle are best planted outside under a fruit cage or net tunnel in a cooler climate.
4. As a Last Resort, Try Natural Pesticides
If you’re considering using pesticides to protect your garden against pests, you must think very carefully about which you will use. Upsetting your garden’s ecosystem will not only impact your plants, but it can also have a devastating impact on the world outside too. For that reason, it’s best to use natural and homemade pesticides to minimise any impact you may have.
One of the lowest impact and effective natural pesticides is neem oil, which is derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It essentially acts as a hunger suppressant for small insects, triggering “anti feed” hormones when they approach plants sprayed with the oil. It’s non-toxic to pets, birds, fish, and other wildlife making it a perfect garden protector. Other natural pesticides you may wish to research include garlic spray and soap spray.
Wrapping Up
There are many tactics gardeners will use to protect their garden from pests, but these 4 methods have proven to be effective year after year. Investing in some highly effective solutions now will ensure that when it comes to harvesting time, you won’t be disappointed!
*Collaborative post
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