Natural Ways to Keep Animals Out of Your Garden

It’s gardening season! Every gardener dreams of a thriving garden filled with lush flowers or vibrant veggies. However, gardens can quickly turn into battlegrounds when wildlife crashes the party. From rabbits munching on leafy greens to deer trampling your delicate flowerbeds, many gardeners struggle to protect their plants from intruders. Luckily, there are several all-natural methods for helping keep garden critters at bay. Here are the natural ways to keep pests out of your garden. 

1 – Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper can be a powerful animal repellent. You may love adding a little spice to your food, but animals hate the flavor. Sprinkling cayenne pepper over your garden will help deter critters from turning your garden into a personal buffet. The cayenne pepper will not seriously harm animals who ingest it, but the spicy sensation will make them want to steer clear of your garden. You can sprinkle cayenne powder directly onto your garden or create a DIY spray mixture. To make a cayenne pepper garden spray:
1- Mix 2 TBSP of cayenne pepper and 1 gallon of water.
2- Let the mixture sit overnight, and then transfer it into a spray bottle.
3- Give your plants a spicy shower, then sit back and relax, knowing they are safe.
This is a temporary solution; you may have to repeat the process after heavy rains.

2 – Fake Fruits and Vegetables

One of the simplest ways to protect your garden is to outsmart the animals. If you have fruits or vegetables you want to safeguard, consider painting a few rocks to look like the food. When an animal comes in for a tasty snack, they’ll be disappointed to find the “vegetable” is hard and inedible! This clever trick will discourage animals from attempting to eat your real plants, giving your garden a chance to thrive without interference.

3 – Plant strategically

Certain plants can act as natural deterrents for animals due to the way they smell or taste. Just like humans, animals have preferences when it comes to food. Incorporating these plants into your garden can help keep unwanted critters at bay. Growing lavender in your garden can discourage rabbits and deer from approaching, as they are known to dislike this plant. Check out this Better Homes and Gardens article for a full list of flowers rabbits hate!

4 – Motion Sensors

Animals are often startled by sudden sounds or movements. One effective method is to utilize a motion sensor sprinkler, which activates when detecting motion and sprays water to scare off intruders. Alternatively, a sound machine can emit loud noises when motion is detected, serving a similar purpose of startling and deterring animals. Over time, they will learn that there are better places to stop for a snack than your garden.

5 – Embrace Nature

It’s important to remember that no garden is completely immune to animals. It may help to shift your perspective. Understanding that some loss to your garden is inevitable can ease the disappointment. Additionally, consider the positive impact of contributing to the local ecosystem. To address potential losses, consider planting a bit more to ensure there’s enough to share with wildlife.

As with all gardening and yard care, trial and error will eventually help you find what works best for your garden. These tips and tricks will help you naturally keep animals out of your garden. While you’re here, check out our blog on keeping bugs out of your garden!