Keep Pesky Squirrels Out of Your Garden With These Netting Tips

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Robby

Are you planning or planting your vegetable garden this year and need a way to keep pesky squirrels out of your raised garden beds so they can’t go digging for seeds or eat growing plants? In this post is an easy and inexpensive DIY solution for you. It will keep squirrels, as well as other predators like birds and deer out of your vegetable garden without harming them.

In my mind, I would have loved a garden house like this, but I had to be realistic.

Instead we created a very functional and easy to access kitchen garden using 4 elevated garden beds that I stained, two metal arches and 4 round barrel-style planters. We covered the area with a layer of pine straw mulch.

We had some growing successes – a few varieties of kale, carrots, and lettuce. But a few fails as the summer went on that we mainly attributed to squirrels burying their nuts and looking for seeds as well as birds making their meals out of the garden.

Since the planters are elevated – we didn’t have any rodents, mice, or moles which is a good thing.

This year we had to come up with an easy way to protect the elevated garden beds from the squirrels and birds. We needed physical barriers over the entire raised bed, not the individual plants. We didn’t want to use a chemical spray or natural squirrel repellents that would have to be resprayed often.

We also didn’t think a motion-activated sprinkler, fence or noisemakers made out of aluminum foil or shiny discs would deter them for the long run.

After doing some research, I liked what an Australian gardener I found on YouTube did to deter pests from getting in his raised garden beds.

We didn’t create the barriers for the raised planters exactly the same way he did, but came pretty close

Squirrels may look cute and harmless, but these curious critters can cause some major destruction in your garden. Beyond carelessly knocking over plants and pots, squirrels enjoy digging up bulbs and burying nuts and seeds, which can hinder plant growth. If you’re struggling to keep squirrels from pillaging your garden, using netting is an effective and humane way to safely deter them and protect your plants.

Why Squirrels Invade Gardens

Before learning about netting solutions, it helps to understand what motivates squirrels to invade gardens in the first place. Here are some of the key reasons squirrels can’t resist your garden:

  • Foraging for food – Squirrels forage for morsels like seeds, nuts, and berries Flower buds, leafy greens, vegetables, and bulbs are all fair game.

  • Burying food caches – Squirrels bury nuts and seeds in soil to store for later. Your garden’s loose mulched soil is ideal.

  • Seeking shelter – Gardens offer shelter for nests and burrows, especially under sheds, trees, and decks bordering the yard.

  • Curiosity – Squirrels explore and cause mischief anywhere they can access including gardens.

Your garden is an irresistible buffet and sanctuary for squirrels, unless you take proactive measures to block them. Installing netting is the most effective physical barrier.

Choosing the Right Netting

Several types of netting can exclude squirrels and protect plants. Consider these options when selecting netting for your unique garden setup:

  • Plastic bird netting – Lightweight polyethylene knit nets come in various sizes of holes. Opt for 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch holes to block squirrels.

  • Garden fabric row cover – Polypropylene fabric allows air, light, and water through while keeping pests out. Use heavyweight 1⁄2 ounce fabric.

  • Insect netting – Super fine mesh insect screens prevent access by even the smallest pests.

  • Hardware cloth – Sturdy galvanized metal screens have 1⁄4 inch openings to exclude squirrels.

  • Deer netting – Heavy duty polyethylene nets designed for deer can also stop squirrels. Look for reinforced edges.

Match the netting strength and hole size to the types of pests you aim to deter, spanning from insects to rabbits. Purchase UV-resistant netting for longevity.

Netting Tips to Keep Squirrels Out

Installing netting properly is crucial for it to effectively block squirrels. Follow these tips:

  • Cover the entire garden including supports like trellises, cages, poles and fencing. Eliminate any gaps.

  • Bury edges at least 6 inches underground to prevent squirrels from burrowing underneath.

  • Secure edges with landscape pins, rocks or boards to prevent the net from being lifted.

  • Use dowels, hoops or frames to keep netting from directly touching plants, allowing airflow.

  • Set up multiple layers on extra vulnerable plants like berry bushes using inner and outer nets.

  • Check regularly for holes or damage, and repair immediately before squirrels find a way in.

  • Use metal clips or zip ties instead of knots, which squirrels can chew through.

  • Don’t forget to cover the tops of raised beds and containers at least 3 feet beyond edges.

With careful installation leaving no openings, netting forms an impenetrable barrier that deters frustrated squirrels.

Netting Solutions for Different Gardening Setups

The optimal netting approach depends on the layout and contents of your garden. Here are effective solutions:

  • Vegetable gardens – Cover beds with insect netting draped hoops or frames to keep produce protected while allowing for plant growth and harvesting.

  • Flower gardens – Drape lightweight netting directly over beds, anchoring the edges with U-shaped landscape pins.

  • Trees and shrubs – Wrap trunks with aluminum flashing, then enclose entire trees with deer netting to prevent squirrels from climbing or jumping in.

  • Raised garden beds – Protect beds with netting on frames, or wrap edges and tops directly with netting secured by boards.

  • Bulb and garden plantings – Cover sections planted with bulbs and perennials prone to squirrel digging with mesh screens.

  • Berry bushes and fruit trees – Encircle with 1⁄4 inch hardware cloth or plexiglass barriers to prevent access while allowing sunlight and air.

  • Rooftop gardens – Use combinations of netting, fences, and barriers open to the sky but sealed on sides.

Get creative with frames, supports, and netting types to customize solutions that suit your garden’s needs.

Troubleshooting Netting Issues

Netting seems simple in theory, but it takes finesse to outsmart squirrels’ persistent attempts at entry. Here are some common netting problems and solutions:

  • Squirrels chew through netting – Use metal reinforcement, multiple layers, or taste deterrent sprays along edges.

  • Net edges lift up – Weights like bricks or landscape edging along edges prevent lifting.

  • Holes develop – Check netting weekly for holes and repair immediately with metal clips or sealant.

  • Net sags into plants – Taut netting 1-2 inches above plants allows airflow and growth uplift.

  • Plants grow into netting – Use frames to elevate net above plants, and prune back wayward branches.

  • Net edges detach – Secure edges with long landscape pins or weigh down with boards.

  • Squirrels climb over – Extend netting at least 3 feet over edges and apply petroleum jelly on posts and supports.

Monitor your netting setup regularly to ensure it remains securely installed and hole-free. Adjust and make repairs promptly at the first sign of problems.

Netting Allows You to Garden Squirrel-Free

Don’t let pesky squirrels sabotage your gardening efforts this season. With smart netting techniques, you can cultivate a healthy garden free of these furry menaces digging up bulbs, nibbling blooms, and wreaking general havoc.

Install tightly-woven netting over beds, anchor edges securely, seal off gaps, and make repairs at the first signs of holes or lifting. A meticulously installed netting barrier signals surrender to the squirrels, so you can finally garden in peace.

netting to keep squirrels out of garden

How to Squirrel Proof Tomato Cages

We also had to build squirrel proof tomato cages that would not only keep them out, but their bird pals also.

netting to keep squirrels out of garden

We cut hardware cloth to size and wrapped it around the inside diameter of the barrel planters. In the planter is one tomato plant surrounded by a tomato cage for it to grow on.

We still are deciding on cutting circles from the hardware cloth to place on top as a lid and then use the tips of the wire to attach to the vertical hardware cloth. We could also cover with bird netting and clamp it taut.

Do you have a vegetable garden? How do you keep birds and squirrels out of your garden?

How to Make a Raised Garden Bed Squirrel Proof

To keep squirrels and other critters out of the raised beds, we used a few items from the home improvement store.

netting to keep squirrels out of garden

It took Ed and me about an hour to squirrel proof planters and keep the garden planters from becoming bird feeders again this year.

  • 4-ft Bamboo stakes – we used 7 cut sections for each elevated bed.
  • Drip irrigation hose or soaker house with no ends – I used this brown hose to match my elevated planters.
  • Squirrel netting for garden, plastic bird netting or chicken wire.
  • 4″ Plastic spring clamps
  • Sharp craft knife or cutting shears
  • Cable ties or twist ties
  • Hacksaw or power saw

Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Raised Beds

  • Measure Raised Beds or Planter To figure out how many hoops and how much netting or chicken wire you will need, measure the width and depth of the garden bed. Also consider how tall you want each hoop to be so tall growing vegetables will have plenty of space to grow. We cut the hose into 6-ft long sections which made the hoop 30-inches high.
  • Cut Bamboo Stakes Using a hacksaw, cut the stakes to the size needed.
  • Place Cut Stakes in Planter Place one stake vertically in each corner of the planter and one spaced along the center outer edge on each side of the planter.
  • Place Hose Over Bamboo Stakes to Create Hoops Place one end of the cut to length hose over a bamboo stake and the the other end over the stake across the planter from it. Repeat for the other stakes. Each bamboo stake will be covered by the hose.
  • Attach Top Stake Using cable or twist ties – attach another stake horizontally across the top of the hoops. Cut excess tie away.
  • Cut Squirrel Netting Cut the squirrel or bird netting to the size needed to drape over the hoops and long enough to fall just past the top of the planter.
  • Pull Netting Taut Pull the netting taut to each side and the ends of the planter. You may have to bunch or twist the excess netting together to create a taut fit. Use spring clamps to hold the netting taut and in place. Keeping the netting taut will eliminate birds getting stuck in the netting.Note: There is better netting than what we used that is safer for birds. You can find it in the resources section at the end of this post.

netting to keep squirrels out of garden

When pulling the netting taut, the hoops may lean, but that doesn’t effect the functionality of the protective barrier.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of the Garden – Your Questions Answered

FAQ

Does garden netting keep out squirrels?

Plastic Netting – One option is a physical barrier that is difficult for a squirrel to navigate. Plastic netting is one suggestion. While plastic netting will slow the squirrels down, in the end it will prove useless as squirrels will simply eat through these.

What is the best netting to protect plants from squirrels?

The easy way to protect the lower portion of the plants is to add 18 inches of shredded tree leaves or straw around the base of the plant in a 24-inch diameter before temperatures go below 15 degrees. A cylinder of chicken wire fencing, 24 inches in diameter and 18 inches high, would be a neat way to do the job.

What size mesh will keep squirrels out?

The best type of mesh for squirrel deterrents is made of thin-plastic rather than a rigid plastic (only slightly heavier than traditional garden netting) with 1-inch openings. I found mine at a big-box hardware store and bought two 4-by-50-foot rolls.

What is the best thing to keep squirrels out of your garden?

Discourage squirrels by surrounding or inter-planting with varieties that they turn their noses up to, like mint, marigolds, nasturtiums, or mustard.

How do I keep squirrels out of my Garden?

A meticulously installed netting barrier signals surrender to the squirrels, so you can finally garden in peace. We also had to make tomato cages that would keep squirrels and their bird friends out. We cut hardware cloth to size and wrapped it around the inside diameter of the barrel planters.

Can netting block squirrels?

Installing netting properly is crucial for it to effectively block squirrels. Follow these tips: Cover the entire garden including supports like trellises, cages, poles and fencing. Eliminate any gaps. Bury edges at least 6 inches underground to prevent squirrels from burrowing underneath.

Does bird netting kill squirrels?

While it usually deters squirrels by creating a barrier they can’t get through, many birds get tangled in it and die. Bird/squirrel netting is so lightweight and wispy that birds easily get their wings or feet caught in it. That is really sad! Birds can be super beneficial to the garden, so we don’t want to inadvertently kill them.

How do you keep squirrels from squeezing through a fence?

Use a mesh size of about 1 inch or smaller to prevent squirrels from squeezing through. Bury the fence at least 6 inches deep to deter digging. For raised beds or specific plant areas, consider placing a cage or cover over the plants. Use netting or wire mesh that allows sunlight while keeping squirrels out.

How do you keep squirrels away from a bird feeder?

Position the feeder at least 10 feet away from trees, fences, or other structures from which squirrels can jump. You can also install a baffle (a cone-shaped shield) on the feeder pole to make climbing difficult. Regularly clean up spilled seeds to avoid attracting squirrels to the ground below the feeder.

How do you keep squirrels away from chicken wire?

Chicken wire can be fashioned into domes or cages around susceptible plants, either individual plants or entire rows. Because squirrels will dig to get to what they want, bury the edges of fashioned cages 6 inches below the surface to prevent burrowing. Row covers used for frost protection also protect against squirrels.

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