Squirrels

[Lauren]

I have a container outside filled with gladiola bulbs which have since bloomed but are still green. My problem is that squirrels are constantly digging in this container. I have 4 other containers with various plants but they seem to enjoy my gladiola container. Does anyone have ideas to keep the squirrels out? This year when I planted the bulbs I found old acorns buried in the dirt. Not only are they digging the bulbs up, they are making a huge mess. Thanx

[joclyn]

you could put some small gauge chicken wire under the dirt...or above it and then cover it with something like good-sized rocks to keep it in place. if the glads are already growing, tho, you won't be able to do that - unless you cut something to fit around the greens. maybe just some large rocks?

squirrels love most types of bulbs - i lost every one of 40 crocus that i planted...i'd put the chicken wire overtop of the tulips (which are a particular fav of the squirrels) so i didn't lose any of them...didn't know they liked the crocus even more!

[Lauren]

If I were to put chicken wire just under the dirt before the bulbs sprouted next year, would the plants still mature properly if they have to grow around the wire? I would just worry as they began to sprout, there might be problems as they work themselves around the wire

[joclyn]

when i did this with the tulips i placed the wire down first and then marked the center of squares with toothpicks; removed the wire and then planted the tulips where the toothpicks were.

all the tulips grew through the wire with no problems. you can also remove the wire when you see the leaf tips just breaking through the top of the soil...the squirrels only seem interested in the bulbs in the winter when food is hard to come by...