Landscaping Tips To Keep Your Plants Safe From Foraging Animals

Nibbling bunnies, troublesome squirrels, and marauding birds can damage your landscaping. Living at peace with wildlife without giving up on the aesthetics of your yard requires creativity.

Plant To Prevent

If your flowers are serving as a buffet to the neighborhood wildlife, try planting some flower that aren't as attractive.

• Daffodils provide ample spring color and require little care, and squirrels and other animals tend to avoid them. Plant them alone or mix them in with tulips and other spring bulbs.

• 4 o'clocks come in a variety of bright colors and thrive in most gardens. Even better, rabbits usually avoid them.

• Vinca is another animal-resistant choice. Check with landscaper, like CNC Lawn Care, Inc, before you plant, because some varieties are invasive.

• Yucca provides a large plant that stands out in the landscape while resisting animal foraging.

These are just a few options. If animals are eating one of your plants to the ground, try a new one and see if it fares better.

Stop The Digging

Squirrels, skunks and other animals often dig in soft mulch, which may uproot your prized plants. Although it's nearly impossible to keep the squirrels out of your yard, you can protect your landscaping. Lay a sheet of mesh wire over the top of the soil around your flowers. Cover the mesh with the mulch to disguise it. The mesh makes it uncomfortable for animals who like to dig, but your plants can still grow through it.

Protect From Below

If voles, moles or other burrowing animals are eating your plants off at the root, try protecting new plants from the bottom. Before planting, remove the soil from the bed and line it with the metal mesh. Replace the soil and then plant. The mesh stops pests from digging under your plants.

Danger From Above

Plants with attractive seed heads, such as coneflowers, can bring in the birds in droves. If feeding the birds is part of your plan, this isn't an issue. If the birds do become pests, use spinning garden ornaments, wind chimes, or glittery bird tape streamers to dissuade the feathered visitors.

Keep It Fenced

Fences are another option, but they aren't suitable for all animal pests. Squirrels, for example, are nearly impossible to fence out. If you do use fences for small animals, like rabbits, make them at least 2 feet tall and bury the bottom of the fence beneath the soil to discourage digging. Iron pickets, pretty wood or stately stonework fences can keep the animals out while adding a new design element to the landscape.