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.