Container gardening offers the opportunity to grow plants in small spaces, but it also creates unique challenges when dealing with local wildlife. Containers filled with soft, freshly turned potting mix are highly attractive to animals like squirrels and neighborhood cats looking for a place to dig, bury food, or use as a litter box. Unlike compacted in-ground beds, the airy consistency of container soil makes it an inviting target for small mammals. Protecting these accessible plants requires specific strategies that differ from traditional garden fencing or row covers.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are reliable methods for protecting containers because they directly prevent animals from accessing the soil or foliage. These solutions require a one-time setup and eliminate the need for constant reapplication of repellents.
To protect edible parts like leafy greens or berries, fine mesh bird netting or lightweight plastic netting can be draped over the container. Secure the netting around the rim or support it with hoops to create a small cage, allowing plants room to grow without tangling. This prevents birds and foraging mammals like rabbits from grazing.
To deter digging animals like squirrels and cats, hardware cloth or chicken wire covers the soil surface. Cut the mesh to fit the container’s diameter, including a hole for the plant stem. Anchor this metal mesh securely to the container edge, preventing animals from scratching or burying items in the potting mix.
Covering the soil surface with materials animals find uncomfortable to walk or dig through is also effective. Spreading sharp items like lava rock, coarse gravel, or small pinecones deters cats and squirrels. This layer should be less than one inch thick to prevent soil compaction and ensure proper watering.
Utilizing Non-Toxic Deterrents and Repellents
Sensory deterrents capitalize on an animal’s aversion to specific tastes or smells, discouraging them from approaching the containers. These non-toxic methods offer an environmentally friendly way to protect plants without causing harm.
Commercial repellents often use strong odors or tastes, such as capsaicin, a common active ingredient derived from peppers. These sprays or granular products are applied directly to the foliage or soil, creating an unpleasant experience for animals that attempt to chew or dig. Some commercial products also use the scent of predator urine, like fox or coyote, to trigger an instinctual fear response in smaller mammals and rodents.
For a do-it-yourself approach, simple household items serve as effective scent deterrents. Animals with a sensitive sense of smell, like squirrels, are repelled by pungent odors such as peppermint oil, garlic, or cayenne pepper. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or coffee grounds on the soil deters digging, while cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil can be placed near the container rim. Since these applications are susceptible to rain and watering, reapplication is necessary every few days to maintain effectiveness.
Motion-activated devices can startle and discourage animals using sudden movements or sounds.
- Motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency sound waves are effective against nocturnal pests like raccoons and possums.
- For birds, hanging reflective items like old CDs or metallic streamers near the pots creates a visual disturbance that scares them away.
Strategic Placement and Cultural Controls
Environmental and cultural controls focus on managing the container’s surroundings and plant health to make the garden less appealing to pests. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of animal interference.
Elevating containers deters ground-level foragers like rabbits and small rodents. Placing pots on sturdy stands, tables, or mounting them on balcony railings moves the foliage out of easy reach. For larger pests like deer, increased height makes the jump less appealing, especially if containers are grouped tightly to create a dense, less accessible block of plants.
Removing external food sources is an important step that reduces the overall animal presence in the area. Raccoons, mice, and rats are often attracted by spilled birdseed, fallen fruit, or unsecured compost near the garden. Keeping the surrounding area clean and free of brush piles minimizes potential hiding and nesting spots for small animals.
Companion planting utilizes certain plants to discourage animal pests. Many animals are repelled by plants with strong aromatic oils or bitter tastes. Planting herbs like rosemary, mint, or lavender alongside containers provides a scent barrier that many mammals find offensive. Marigolds, known for their distinct odor, are also commonly used as a deterrent to keep animals away from more palatable plants.