While gardening is rewarding, the truth is that it takes some care to prevent our efforts from being foiled by wildlife. So what to do to protect your vegetable garden from deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and the like?

  • One advantage of grow bags and container grown plants is that they can be placed close to the home where critters are less likely to roam.
  • Fencing is the most effective way to keep unwanted visitors out of your garden.
  • Raised beds that are two feet or taller also can limit rabbit damage, especially if you add a short fence on top.
  • A short fence will work for most rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks, but should be buried at least 10″ deep to deter persistent diggers. You can use chicken wire, hardware cloth, or rabbit fencing.
  • Place colorful, metallic pinwheels on the fence posts, which will deter birds and animals.
  • To deter deer you will need:
    • A deer fence at least 8′ tall, or
    • Two shorter fences 4’ or taller. Deer won’t leap over a fence if they don’t see a safe space to land. Try adding another, inner fence to prevent them from leaping into your garden.
    • Regularly spray predator urine around your garden’s perimeter (sold commercially).
    • Scare deer away with a motion triggered device.
    • Try rosemary, garlic and oregano as good barrier plants.

Slugs and snails are also some of the most common and destructive garden pests. Try these methods for controlling slugs and snails:

  • Apply a barrier of Diatomaceous Earth (DE), a powder containing tiny sharp fragments that hurts snails and slugs.
  • Use a slug and snail bait that is nontoxic to humans and wildlife.
  • Try planting red clover around your garden as a sacrificial plant.
  • Remove slugs and snails with your hands each morning. Place them in soapy water to kill them.
  • Buy a snail and slug copper barrier and lay two-to-three-inch strips around your plants. Copper barriers are expensive, so you may want to save them for your favorite plants.

Here is some general information on pest control.
Check the Framingham Garden Club website frequently as we add additional resources and information https://framinghamgardenclub.org/resources-information/