How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Container Garden!

Squirrels can be a pain to the gardener, no matter if your garden is large or consists of patio containers. Here are some tips to help deter the squirrels from digging in your containers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Black plastic
• cage wire (such as used for fences)

1. The first thing you could try would be black plastic. This can usually be found at the gardening center or garden supply stores. Use the plastic to cover the dirt of your containers allowing only a small hole for the plant to come through. You can anchor these in place with small metal stakes or with rocks.
2. You could also use the cage method. This method works wonders for rodents and rabbits who burrow into large gardens and could work for small containers as well. Take a small section of wove wire or chicken wire or one of smaller links if possible. place this directly across your container and anchor it down. This will make it more difficult for the squirrels to reach the dirt and less likely that they will dig it up. You just need to be sure that it is small enough that they can't fit through and placed far enough above the soil that they can't simply reach through.
3. Coffee grounds spread across your soil have been used with some success and they are wonderful for the soil. Places do sell squirrel repellent but I have read in various different places that these things are usually a rip off and do not help whatsoever.

Tips & Warnings

• You can try to make peace with squirrels but I would advise against feeding them separately. While it may seem like a good idea to feed them so they will not get into your plants, in the long run you're only inviting more squirrels into the area.
• Be careful dealing with any wild animal, do not handle yourself as they could carry diseases such as rabies.
• Be wary and cautious buying any repellent product