What Is the Best Thing to Use to Keep Bugs & Animals Away From Tomato Plants?
Tomato growing is hard work. It requires consistent watering, careful pruning and gentle protection from the weather. Avoid the disappointment of having the fruit of your labor plucked from the vine by proactively protecting your tomato plants from bugs and animals. While there are chemical means of protection available, all of these methods can also harm the plants. Instead, consider using a few household tricks to keep away those unwanted critters. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Cages
-
Tomato plants are naturally weak plants that produce fruit far too heavy to support on their own vines. Give your plant some extra support and protection from animals with a double cage. The first cage, meant for support, can be made of wood, vinyl or metal and should be very loose. This allows the plant to easily grasp onto the cage and use the cage's strength for its fruit. The second cage should be made of small-holed metal such as chicken wire. This cage should be spaced 6 inches away from the plant and firmly stuck into the ground for optimal protection.
Nets
-
It your plants are already set on trellises too large to cage, then nets are the next best defense for keeping away animals such as birds and squirrels. Purchase some fine net meshing fabric from a fabric or outdoor store and drape the fabric over the plant as the tomatoes begin forming. Secure the ends of the net to the ground and the trellis for the best protection.
-
Companion Plants
-
If you have room in your garden for a few more plants, then you can easily keep bugs away with some companion tomato plants. According to Golden Harvest Organics, "Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, improves growth and flavor. Bee balm, chives and mint improve health and flavor. Borage deters tomato worm, improves growth and flavor. Dill, until mature, improves growth and health, mature dill retards tomato growth."
Spiky Barriers
-
If deer are your problem, it's time to invest in some sharp hedges. According to Hobby Farms, prickly plants such as, "echinops, eryngium, cardoon, euphorbia, berkheya, and sedum" are natural deterrents for deer and other grazing animals. Additionally, rabbits and deer do not enjoy nibbling on most herbs, so you may be able to utilize your companion plants as an added rabbit and deer defense. Finally, if all else fails, plants such as roses and succulents can add an extra sharp defense. Just be sure and plant them far enough away so that you have a small trail to reach your tomatoes.
-
References
- Photo Credit tomato image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
