Now that you have finally purchased your own home on a small bit of land, you can finally grow the garden you have always dreamed of. After doing a bit of research on best gardening practices, you learn that growing your own fruits and vegetables might not be as easy as it initially seemed.
You’re not too embarrassed to admit that you figured planting some seeds in the dirt and watering said seeds would result in a decent harvest. As it turns out, you won’t be the only creature interested in what you’re growing. The animals in your area, the cute rabbits and deer that look like they’ve walked right out of Bambi are interested too, and they’ll do everything they can to get to the goods before you do.
To protect your garden, you’ll need to make some home improvements. These home improvements might include building a fence or installing a better sprinkler system. After running the numbers on CoverHound’s homeowners insurance calculator , you learn that if one of these furry thieves should damage your new fence, your homeowners insurance policy will help to cover the damages.
Don’t lose out on eating sun kissed strawberries and tomatoes all because you weren’t willing to build improvements on your property.
To enjoy this Spring’s edible gifts, here are five ways to (humanely) protect your garden:
Build a fence. Deer, rabbits and other wildlife can’t go to town on your garden if they’re unable to reach it. Constructing a fence around the garden will keep the animals out, granting you alone access to your garden’s edible delights. The Care2 Community recommends installing a wire mesh fence that is at least 2- to 3 feet high (higher to keep out deer) and buried at least six inches underground, this will keep the burrowing creatures at bay.
Install wire mesh. If a fence seems like too much of a hassle, Gardenista suggests lining your garden bed with wire mesh. Buried below the roots of the garden plants, the wire mesh "effectively creates cages or baskets underground" that surrounds the vulnerable roots of the plants, keeping them save from the munching jaws of gophers and moles.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes. If something burns to the touch, you probably won’t be tempted to touch the object again, would you? Forest animals learn this lesson quickly too. Sprinkling your garden bed with hot pepper flakes will keep the animals away because the red-hot taste of the flakes will, as they do for you, make their mouths feel hot. This uncomfortable oral sensation will be enough to keep them from trying to eat your plants again.
Install audible repellent. What about keeping birds from landing on the branches of fruit trees? You’re asking. To keep birds from pecking your fruit trees to bits, install a motion-sensor recording of a hawk’s or other predatory bird’s screech. If the birds believe a predator is nearby, they won’t dare set up shop in your garden.
Mark your territory. As discussed before, animals will stay away from areas where they believe a predator lurks by. Sprinkle your garden with bits of your own hair (taken from your hairbrush!) or granulated urine from carnivorous predators, including wolves or foxes. The pesky rodents and deer will turn themselves right around and away from your garden with one whiff of the air.
If the hungry furry little pests should still try to enter your garden and cause property damage, your homeowners insurance will cover the cost of repairs. Click here to find the homeowners policy that’ll protect you and your garden.
Insurance shopping simplified
Insurance shopping simplified
