Growing your own food is a great opportunity to help you to appreciate all that nature has to offer. It is a great experience for those who understand the trials ahead. There is more to growing herbs and other usable plants than meets the eye. You must take steps to protect the plants from predators if you choose to grow them outside. Predators come in many forms, such as insects and animals. Here are some of the best ways to protect your outdoor garden from pests that might want to destroy it.
Rabbits are ravenous for small seedlings and shoots. They can wreak havoc on a young garden before it even has a chance to bear fruit. You will know if rabbits are in your garden when you notice your plants no longer have leaves or stems. Put a fence which goes underground to keep rabbits out. It is important that it goes underground because rabbits can dig as well. However, deer love to eat plants from gardens too, and fencing does not always keep them out because they can jump. Having a dog outside will keep deer from entering.
Some birds settle into gardens and destroy the plants inside them. If you want to prevent this from happening, then simply erect a coyote or dog decoy. This decoy will scare them away for sure. Owl decoys are equally effective. Smaller birds and rabbits are naturally afraid of owls and the danger that they pose. Putting this type of decoy out will ward them off.
Perhaps the best option, however, is to simply build or buy a greenhouse for your plants. A greenhouse is a great choice because it not only protects the plants from predators, but it also protects them from the elements of nature, such as high wind or heavy rain. There are many different do-it-yourself greenhouse build videos on YouTube. It is possible to make a smaller ones to meet your needs within the confines of your own backyard. Protect your edible plants from predators so that you can enjoy them.
