16 Jul 2010

Ask Nichole

Originally Uploaded to flickr by bucklava

It seems like the only question anyone has asked me for the past month has been, “What can I do to stop squirrels/birds/slugs/caterpillars from eating my tomatoes?!” I find it amusing that people ask me gardening questions considering my garden is a sad, burnt disaster, with nothing left but the hope that next year will be better.

That said, I again turned to Elizabeth at Frager’s to find out for you, our tomato-growing THIH readers (and contributors) how to ward off vermin.

The bottom line is that the best way to fend off squirrels and birds, the most likely tomato thieves at this time of year, is netting. It takes some time, initially, to go and purchase the stakes and dowels and netting (all available at Frager’s, of course) but in the long run, it’s the most effective way to protect your fruit.

Your other options, should stakes and netting (chicken wire also works) not be an option for some reason, are things you sprinkle on or around your plants to repel the creatures. Dried blood is often cited as a good repellent (this is one that I’d heard of) however, it alters the nitrogen in the soil and will make your tomatoes lovely and leafy, but minimize fruit output, which is disappointing at best. Dried blood can be used on leafy crops – like kale and lettuce and cabbage – but must be reapplied every time you water. Another choice is Shake Away, which is mint based. Elizabeth said that mint does something to rodent neurology that puts them in a hazy fog, “not in a good way.” It’s all natural and granulated and unlike dried blood does not need to be reapplied. Similarly, Critter Ridder (comprised of garlic, mint, oil of black pepper and other natural ingredients) can be sprinkled in the soil around plants, or in pots.

At this time of year, we don’t have to worry much about slugs, grubs, caterpillars and other ground based vermin, but in a month or so, when the weather starts to cool a bit and we head into fall, expect them to rear their slimy little heads.  The best way to protect your garden from them is to “collar” your plants. This can be as easy as putting toilet paper rolls around the base of your plants making getting to the good part a daunting task for these garden pests. If you want to spend a little more money (but not much), collar your plants with copper tape. The copper singes the critters and they’ll know that your plants are not to messed with. This works especially well on herbs such as dill and parsley, which are especially appealing.

So that’s it for this week’s edition of Ask Nichole. Got a question for me? Email me at NicholeTheHillisHome[at]gmail[dot]com!

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