What is the best way to protect bulbs from wildlife?
By Eric
I've always heard that voles (not moles, but they might as well) hate pointy rocks. So whenever I plant anything new in my gardens, I mix in a handful or two of gravel from the driveway. We have a gravel called "TRG" and I forget what it stands for. It's pointy, though. Broken seashells would work, too. I haven't had any problems at all- all of my plants came back with vigor this year. Some people say that wrapping them in hardware cloth before planting them will do the trick, too- Just leave a gap at the top for the bulb to sprout from. Also, rubber snakes will freak out any renegade squirrels. Just move them around every day or so. As for deer, I hear that human hair and Irish Spring soap will keep them at bay. Good luck!
Dip the bulbs in talc powder before you plant them. the animals don't like the taste and will try one and then leave the rest alone
Planting bulbs can really enhance your landscaping. Use a little bone meal to help fertilize each bulb (place about a teaspoon full under each bulb).
I already planted my tulip bulbs; I live in zone 5. Now the wildlife are digging them up and friends are telling me to dig them back out of the ground and wait another month or so. I have spent hours searching on the web and have ended up more confused. I would appreciate any ideas anyone may have. Thank you so much
By Corina
Cover the area where you have planted the bulbs with chicken wire available at a hardware store. A roll may cost about $11.
I have had squirrels dig the dirt out of my flower pots and eat the roots of the plants. I wish it wasn't illegal to shoot pellet guns where I live.
Shooting a stream of water at the little buggers isn't illegal but is a good deterent. Try it and see (it works for me).
Two seasons ago, I lost 200 bulbs to squirrels. They cross the highway to get to our yard like it was a salad bar at Boston Market. I read that an older lady used spices, particularly cinnamon and cayenne.
As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and also an Advanced Master Gardener I frequently have people ask questions about keeping their gardens from being eaten by wildlife while not harming the wildlife.
We have had the same problems. Last year when we planted tulip bulbs, we prepared the area with bone meal deep underneath the bulbs, as we are convinced that the bone meal is what they smell, and want to dig up.
Dig a hole for your bulbs, press gravel at the bottom of the hole and along the sides, put the bulb into the hole then put more gravel on top, cover with dirt. Squirrels and other wildlife cannot get at the bulbs.
After I plant my bulbs, I put a piece of very fine screening (like on windows) over the dirt to keep squirrels from eating the bulbs.
How do you keep squirrels from eating your bulbs?
By Doris
You use a rodent cage. Its a small cage, made out of wire that you put the bulb inside before you bury it. The bulb can grow out thru the holes it in, but the squirrel or mole cant get it to eat it.
You can sprinkle them with pepper. You must reapply whenever you water them of it rains.