Bugs and Birds, keeping them off my veggies

[beckoes]

...ones they start growing anyway!

So now i have planted my garden im worried about birds and bugs getting in there. I have NO idea what i need to worry about, what bugs can i expect....Wondering if i should put some kind of net over the garden to keep the birds off....there are LOTS of birds in our garden! and scrub turkeys. Dont want to use chemicals and know i can spray with garlic etc. I have companion planted abit.

Any tips??

[Trillian]

You sure can get a net to cover them to keep the birds off. We have our apricot tree netted because once they start to ripen they will all be ruined by the birds in no time at all. As for bugs it's hard to know what you will get. You may get earwigs and slugs are a possibility. It's something you can't pre-prepare for really and can only treat once they are there kwim?

[Laranna]

Well, I don't know if this will work in the veggie patch, but on our koi pond, we've put one of those rubber snakes on the side. It scares the birds away! We used to get an ibis stealing our fish, once we put the snake there, the bird hasn't tried stealing them since!

[Phteven]

You could get a bantam. A full sized chook will tear your vege patch apart but a bantam is a usefull bug catcher once your plants are established.

[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.