How to Keep Birds Out of Your Potted Plants

If you're a bird lover, you know how enjoyable it is to have these feathered friends chirping and flitting about your garden. But if you're a plant lover, they can become a real headache when they start snacking on your prized petunias or delicate herbs. Here are some tips to help keep birds out of your potted plants.

Choose the Right Plants

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to keep birds out of your potted plants is to choose the right plants in the first place. Birds are attracted to bright colors and textures, so plants with brightly colored flowers or softer foliage may be more likely to get their attention. Instead, opt for plants with a rough texture or spiky leaves, which birds tend to avoid. Some options include succulents, cacti, and herbs like rosemary and thyme.

Make Use of Deterrents

If you're still having trouble keeping birds away from your potted plants, you can use a variety of deterrents to keep them at bay. Some popular options include bird netting, reflective tape, and decoy predators like owls or hawks. For a more natural approach, you can hang up wind chimes, install a bird bath, or plant some bird-friendly shrubs nearby to distract them from your precious plants.

Put Up Blinders

One easy solution to keep birds from snacking on your potted plants is to put up blinders. You can use simple materials like screening, mesh, or even a row of old CDs or DVDs strung together to create a barrier around your plants. Make sure to place the blinders about a foot away from the pot so birds can't simply reach over and start nibbling.

Cover the Soil

If birds are digging up your potted plants in search of worms or other insects, try adding a layer of gravel, mulch, or a layer of rocks to the top of the soil. This will help to discourage birds from digging and scratching around in the soil, while also improving drainage and reducing weed growth.

Conclusion

Keeping birds out of your potted plants may seem like a daunting task, but with a little know-how and some simple strategies, you can keep your plants safe and sound. Whether you choose to use deterrents, blinders, or natural bird-friendly distractions, remember to choose the right plants and cover the soil to help keep those feathered friends at bay. By following these tips, you can enjoy all the beauty and benefits of gardening without having to constantly battle against pesky birds.