I'm just starting with square foot gardening and have built raised beds to avoid bad soil and pesky weeds. However, I have a serious problem with birds, squirrels, and raccoons in my area, so I'm considering adding lids to keep out not only these animals but also bugs. I found some plastic netting that lets air and water through but keeps bugs out completely. I understand this means I might have to hand-pollinate my plants, but I also came across neem spray as a natural insecticide to help repel unwanted pests. I'm wondering if it's better to go all out and fully enclose my beds or just cover them partially to allow nature to do its thing. What do you all think?
5 Answers
Just be cautious with neem oil; overapplication can harm your plants. It’s best used sparingly! Have you thought about exploring indoor hydroponics? That could be a viable alternative for your situation, especially with all the outdoor critters trying to snack on your plants!
Trying to eliminate all bugs is a bit unrealistic. Bugs are simply part of the garden ecosystem. While neem oil can help manage bad pests, it's not a magical fix. You really need pollinators for most plants; if you're planning on hand-pollinating, that's fine but be prepared for it! You’ll see that it’s a process and can lead to some unexpected challenges, which is all part of the fun. Just remember that each season will bring its own set of pest issues.Â
For delicate greens, I use row covers, especially since pests like flea beetles are a big issue. I cover them until my plants are more established. When it comes to crops like strawberries, using chicken wire has been effective for keeping chipmunks away. You may need different strategies for different plants, so switching things up and staying adaptable can be key!
Oh and chicken wire over beds when the tiny bean plants and strawberries are attractive to chipmunks.
You can definitely use lids, but try to embrace the fact that bugs and birds are part of gardening. I use netting mostly when my fruits start ripening to keep birds away. For veggies that don’t need pollinating, like cabbages, the netting is great to prevent cabbage moths from ruining the crop. I generally don’t like to put anything on my vegetables if it's not necessary, so I pick my battles depending on the plants involved! Also, I plant marigolds to help fend off the pests; they're pretty helpful!
Do marigolds deter all kinds of bugs?
I think using a cover can be beneficial but choose a material that allows air and light through, like chicken wire instead of solid lids. I built something like a cage for my garden, and it's worked well against hungry wildlife. But honestly, they’ll always try to get to your veggies—it’s just their nature! I even provide them water to keep them away from my plants. Overall, it’s about balance; I coexist with the wildlife while protecting my crops as best as I can.
I disapprove of the bugs but if you are growing to harvest fruits (as opposed to the leaves stalks or roots) they must be pollinated, or are you pollinating by hand?