Sowing seeds is the best way to ensure that you have a garden that is perfectly suited to the conditions of your garden. But more often than not, you can scatter seeds, and the birds eat them. Learning how to protect seedlings from birds should be at the top of your to-do list, particularly if you’re trying to sow seeds from scratch.
Birds, such as pigeons and blackbirds, see freshly planted seeds as an open buffet. Instead of viewing them as enemies, there are many wildlife-friendly ways to address the situation.
How to protect seedlings from birds
Figuring out how to protect seedlings from birds doesn’t have to mean scaring them off altogether. One of the common methods available to you is to start seeds off indoors. Here’s how to strike the right balance between keeping your seeds and birds at bay:
Use natural barriers
If you want to figure out how to protect seedlings from birds in a kind and clever way. You need to consider more natural materials rather than resorting to plastic netting or synthetic deterrents. You can use twigs or sticks and clippings to start as barriers. Stick the twigs upright around your seedlings to make it difficult for birds to land and peck at them.
Use companion plants as camouflage
Companion planting might be another clever gardening hack to banish birds. It’s also a smart way to protect seedlings from birds and other helpful garden visitors. Plant quick-growing plants alongside your vulnerable seedlings to help disguise them from birds. This method allows for biodiversity and adds layers to your planting scheme.
Mulch using rough materials
Mulching has so many benefits, and those benefits include protecting seedlings from birds. Just cover the bare soil with a mulch such as straw, bark chippings, or even eggshells around your seedlings. Simple but effective. Birds are less likely to scratch and dig in soil that’s already covered.
Feed the birds strategically
Well-fed birds are far less likely to cause trouble, which makes this another great option if you want to learn how to protect seedlings. Well-fed birds are less likely to go digging in your seed beds. Keep your bird feeders well-stocked and placed at a distance from your seedling patch. Another great strategy you could use is to scatter some kitchen scraps away from your seedlings as a form of distraction. This helps maintain your garden’s role as a haven for birds while drawing their attention away from tender young plants.
Written by CHUMASANDE MATIWANE
First published on Garden & Home
Also see: The Essential Guide to Spring Gardening Tasks
