Hey fellow gardeners! I'm starting a new garden at my house and I'm really anxious about how to balance protecting the local wildlife with keeping my plants safe from them. I have a lot of brush in the back yard where I've spotted bunnies, skunks, squirrels, and birds, and I love seeing them around. My partner thinks I should clear out the brush because they might eat my plants, but I really don't want to disrupt their home. I'm already planning on using raised beds and providing water and birdseed to help, but I'm looking for any additional tips. Am I being too optimistic about keeping both my garden and the wildlife safe, or should I really consider clearing the brush?
3 Answers
If you want to keep both the wildlife and your garden, using a fence is probably necessary. I've learned the hard way - those bunnies can squeeze through the smallest gaps! Raised beds are a good start, but don’t forget the fence!
You might want to consider planting some herbs that deter animals, like mint. Just make sure to keep it in a pot so it doesn’t take over your yard! Mint is great for tea and cooking too, especially if you pair it with lemon balm. These herbs can protect your vegetables without harming the wildlife!
Clearing out the brush might actually make the animals more likely to munch on your garden, since they'll look for food elsewhere. Plus, keeping those wild areas can really support biodiversity! Birds and other critters help manage pests in your garden. If you're worried about rabbits specifically, a chicken wire perimeter around your plants should do the trick. They won't bother much if there's enough food in the wild!
I totally agree! As long as you have some protective measures, nature can really coexist with your plants.
Exactly! Plus, a diverse ecology can keep harmful pests at bay. It's all about balance!
Yeah, I've had bunnies hop right into my raised beds! It's the price we pay for sharing space with them.