Bugs and Birds, keeping them off my veggies

[nic]

I second the rubber snake idea. We had some birds chomping away at one tomato plant in a pot, so i went to the $2 shop and got the only rubber snake they had. It worked though Just need to track down some more just incase we need anymore. I just need to figure out how to stop my dog eating DD's strawberries

[beckoes]

love the rubber snake idea!! and any excuse to get a chicken! thanks ladies.

[fourthontheway]

Fake snakes are great to scare the birds away, but you have to remember to move them once a week because otherwise a smart breed of bird will cotton to the trick

You can also get an organic spray of pyrethrum, garlic, and chili, that keeps bugs at bay, and there are metal bands that go around the base of pots, or barden beds, and keep snails and slugs away.

Also, if you brew a very strong batch of coffee (I'm pretty sure instant wouldn't work) and strain it, then bung it in a spray bottle and spray your veg with that, it's meant to work well, that's what my neighbour does I'll give it a burl as soon as our organic spray runs out.

[Astrid]

Old CD's hung up around the garden can scare off the birds with the way the sun light glints off them. We were using large bottles to protect some of the seedlings when we first put them in, helped stop the snails and in the cooler weather acted like a mini green house. Now we are not using the bottles we have stuck them on the top of some the stacks around the garden and have found the noise they make when they move in the wind seems to also keep the birds away as well.