There are some great things about living in the Pacific Northwest.
First we have no poisonous snakes, fire ants, or killer bees.
We have no tornadoes or hurricanes...so far!
We rarely if ever have serious drought.
Our summer's are relatively dry and mild.
From a gardener's stand point this is pretty much Nirvana...
Well except for the rain, which there is nothing we can do about...just dance in the puddles!
I am going to ask your help today is dealing with a few of the garden annoyances we do have here as well as ideas for dealing with your particular garden pests.
I was asked by a new gardener (Hi Amy!) if scarecrows worked and how she could keep birds from eating her pea and bean sprouts.
This started me thinking about my favorite pest controls.
First I do not know if the scarecrow will work in the raspberries...I suspect not but am hoping so! I will also add bird tape (a metalic tape that flutters in the wind makes noise and flashes) which was somewhat effective last season.
I also use pie plates for birds which seems to work well but...as you can see by the arrow does not intimidate mice in one bit!
For those I use traps, a cat...and olive oil!
And as you can see by the pictures the cat has no effect on my number one nemisis...
The mascot of the Pacific Coast...
The slug!
Which is one of the reasons I have children...
To take aim at the slugs with pitchforks.
You know you're a hick when you make it a summer's evening game to see who can impale the most slugs on his/her pitchfork!
I use floating row covers for cabbage moths and chicken wire over some sprouts to keep off the bunnies.
I am also extending my electric fence to cover the very bottom of my garden fence to try to detour the cute little guys.
So what about you?
What are some of your favorite ways (that don't include poison) to keep pests out of your garden and off of your precious fruits and veggies?
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