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Okay, all of you gardeners out there....

by ShayB
8 replies
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How do you keep squirrels out of a garden? :confused:

My daughter planted a whole bunch of seeds (in pots) and the next morning she came out and the squirrels had dug in every single pot and eaten the seeds.

Do we need to sprout them inside and then plant them outside? Will that help?
  • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
    Hey Shay,

    Yea, squirrels are smart little buggers... they always get some of my bulbs that I plant... they are very aware of disturbed soil, since it's a good sign that another creature has hidden some food there Also, I swear that they are watching me when I plant...

    I've heard that using bloodmeal in the soil, or even using some hot pepper (diluted with water) is a good deterant... going to try the bloodmeal this spring myself. Also, putting chicken wire above the seeds/bulbs, then covering with dirt, and even some rocks (not so many that the plant can't grow through) on top is a good security measure.

    I usually germinate my seeds, and start them inside, then, once they are big enough, that's when I plant outside... however, if you have rabbits around, they love fresh greens, so caging the plants is always a good idea.

    Here's what I do to get my tomato/cucumber/pepper/etc. plants going... take a few sheets of paper towel, put your seeds in, then fold it up, and moisten the paper towel quite well. I then put that in a ziplock bag, to keep the water from evaporating. After 3-4 days they should begin to sprout, that's when I plant them in pots, keeping them inside for a few weeks, maybe a month, then I plant them in my garden outside.

    What type of plants are you and your daughter trying?
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      With squirrels it's the seed, bulb, or nut, they're after.
      Once the plant sprouts you are usually fine and can then start worrying about rabbits
      Sprouting indoors or covering the pots outdoors with chicken wire are probably your best bet. pepper spray on the plants after they sprout will help with the rabbits, deer, and other little critters looking for a free meal including some insects.

      Here's the problem with blood meal. Other animals like skunks and raccoons will smell it and dig up your garden looking for whatever they think is dead and buried there.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        Here's the problem with blood meal. Other animals like skunks and raccoons will smell it and dig up your garden looking for whatever they think is dead and buried there.
        Good to know Thom, I'm definitely not going to try bloodmeal, since I do have tons of raccoons and skunks around that wiped out my entire corn crop last summer/fall (I'm pretty sure it was the raccoons).
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      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        With squirrels it's the seed, bulb, or nut, they're after.
        Once the plant sprouts you are usually fine and can then start worrying about rabbits
        Sprouting indoors or covering the pots outdoors with chicken wire are probably your best bet. pepper spray on the plants after they sprout will help with the rabbits, deer, and other little critters looking for a free meal including some insects.

        Here's the problem with blood meal. Other animals like skunks and raccoons will smell it and dig up your garden looking for whatever they think is dead and buried there.
        Blood meal is out. Too many skunks and other critters around.

        Will the pepper spray hurt the plants at all?
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        • Profile picture of the author Rick McCombs
          Shay, hot pepper spray works great for keeping the rabbits and deer away and also works for insects.

          I grow hot peppers every year just for that. Run them through a blender and strain the juice from the pulp. Mix with a little water and a drop or two of dish soap and spray on the plants.

          As for squirrels, I gather lots of black walnuts and store them in bags over winter and when planting time starts, I throw out a pile of walnuts and that seems to keep them busy.
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          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            Originally Posted by Rick McCombs View Post

            Shay, hot pepper spray works great for keeping the rabbits and deer away and also works for insects.

            I grow hot peppers every year just for that. Run them through a blender and strain the juice from the pulp. Mix with a little water and a drop or two of dish soap and spray on the plants.

            As for squirrels, I gather lots of black walnuts and store them in bags over winter and when planting time starts, I throw out a pile of walnuts and that seems to keep them busy.
            Hmmmmmmmmmmm....my daughter has been feeding them sunflower seeds. Maybe she needs to put more out.
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          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            Originally Posted by Rick McCombs View Post

            Shay, hot pepper spray works great for keeping the rabbits and deer away and also works for insects.

            I grow hot peppers every year just for that. Run them through a blender and strain the juice from the pulp. Mix with a little water and a drop or two of dish soap and spray on the plants.
            Can I buy a few hot peppers and make the spray? Do they have to be really fresh?
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    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by Jared Alberghini View Post

      Hey Shay,

      Yea, squirrels are smart little buggers... they always get some of my bulbs that I plant... they are very aware of disturbed soil, since it's a good sign that another creature has hidden some food there Also, I swear that they are watching me when I plant...

      I've heard that using bloodmeal in the soil, or even using some hot pepper (diluted with water) is a good deterant... going to try the bloodmeal this spring myself. Also, putting chicken wire above the seeds/bulbs, then covering with dirt, and even some rocks (not so many that the plant can't grow through) on top is a good security measure.

      I usually germinate my seeds, and start them inside, then, once they are big enough, that's when I plant outside... however, if you have rabbits around, they love fresh greens, so caging the plants is always a good idea.

      Here's what I do to get my tomato/cucumber/pepper/etc. plants going... take a few sheets of paper towel, put your seeds in, then fold it up, and moisten the paper towel quite well. I then put that in a ziplock bag, to keep the water from evaporating. After 3-4 days they should begin to sprout, that's when I plant them in pots, keeping them inside for a few weeks, maybe a month, then I plant them in my garden outside.

      What type of plants are you and your daughter trying?
      We have tons of wildlife around here - rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc. Probably everything we plant will be eaten.

      Camryn wanted some pansies and other flowers.

      We are also going to plant soybeans, peas, strawberries, blueberries, and not sure what else.

      We are probably just going to end up feeding all of the neighborhood animals. :rolleyes:
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