Plants that Deter Squirrels - Keep Your Garden Safe

The Problem with Squirrels

Squirrels may be cute and fuzzy, but they can wreak havoc on your garden. They love to dig up bulbs, eat flowers and vegetables, and chew on bark. If you're tired of squirrels destroying your hard work, it's time to take action. One way to keep squirrels out of your garden is by planting plants that deter them. Here are some of the best options:

1. Alliums

Alliums are a type of onion that produces big, showy blooms in the summer. They also happen to be a natural squirrel repellent. Squirrels hate the smell of alliums, so planting them near your other plants can help keep squirrels away.

How to Plant Alliums

To plant alliums, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Water them well, and they should come up in the spring.

Tips for Growing Alliums

• Plant alliums in groups for maximum impact
• Fertilize the bulbs in the fall with bone meal or bulb fertilizer
• Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers

2. Daffodils

Daffodils are another bulb plant that squirrels hate. Like alliums, daffodils have a strong scent that repels squirrels. They also produce bright, cheerful flowers that look great in any garden.

How to Plant Daffodils

To plant daffodils, choose a sunny or partially shady spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Water them well, and they should come up in the spring.

Tips for Growing Daffodils

• Plant daffodils in clumps rather than straight lines
• Fertilize the bulbs in the fall with bone meal or bulb fertilizer
• After the flowers are spent, leave the foliage alone until it turns yellow and dies back naturally

3. Fritillaries

Fritillaries are a type of lily that produces unusual, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, white, and yellow. They're also a natural squirrel repellent, thanks to their strong scent.

How to Plant Fritillaries

To plant fritillaries, choose a spot in your garden with well-draining soil and partial shade. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Water them well, and they should come up in the spring.

Tips for Growing Fritillaries

• Fritillaries prefer slightly acidic soil
• Plant them in groups for maximum impact
• Be sure to water them regularly, as they don't like to dry out

4. Hyacinths

Hyacinths are a classic spring flower that produces fragrant, colorful blooms in shades of pink, purple, white, and blue. They also happen to be a natural squirrel repellent, thanks to their strong scent.

How to Plant Hyacinths

To plant hyacinths, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Water them well, and they should come up in the spring.

Tips for Growing Hyacinths

• Plant hyacinths in clumps for maximum impact
• Fertilize the bulbs in the fall with bone meal or bulb fertilizer
• After the flowers are spent, leave the foliage alone until it turns yellow and dies back naturally

5. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are a type of bulb plant that produces delicate, white flowers in late winter or early spring. They're also a natural squirrel repellent, thanks to their strong scent.

How to Plant Snowdrops

To plant snowdrops, choose a spot in your garden with partial shade and well-draining soil. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Water them well, and they should come up in the spring.

Tips for Growing Snowdrops

• Plant snowdrops in groups for maximum impact
• Be sure to water them regularly during dry spells
• After the flowers are spent, leave the foliage alone until it turns yellow and dies back naturally

6. Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb that produces beautiful purple or pink flowers in the summer. It's also a natural squirrel repellent, thanks to its strong scent.

How to Plant Lavender

To plant lavender, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the lavender plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should blooming in the summer.

Tips for Growing Lavender

• Prune lavender in the spring to promote bushier growth
• Use a light layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture
• Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil

7. Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that's also a natural squirrel repellent. It produces small, blue flowers in the summer and can be used in cooking.

How to Plant Rosemary

To plant rosemary, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the rosemary plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should blooming in the summer.

Tips for Growing Rosemary

• Rosemary prefers slightly alkaline soil
• Prune rosemary regularly to promote bushier growth
• Avoid overwatering, as rosemary doesn't like wet feet

8. Mint

Mint is another fragrant herb that repels squirrels. It produces small, white or purple flowers in the summer and can be used in cooking or to make tea.

How to Plant Mint

To plant mint, choose a spot in your garden with partial shade and well-draining soil. Plant the mint plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should blooming in the summer.

Tips for Growing Mint

• Mint prefers slightly acidic soil
• Be sure to keep it well-watered, as it likes moist soil
• Mint can be invasive, so consider planting it in a container

9. Marigolds

Marigolds are a classic annual flower that produce bright, cheerful blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They're also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Marigolds

To plant marigolds, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the seeds or seedlings about 8 inches apart. Water them well, and they should blooming in the summer.

Tips for Growing Marigolds

• Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers
• Marigolds prefer slightly acidic soil
• Be sure to water them regularly during dry spells

10. Geraniums

Geraniums are a popular annual flower that produce big, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. They're also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Geraniums

To plant geraniums, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the seeds or seedlings about 12 inches apart. Water them well, and they should blooming in the summer.

Tips for Growing Geraniums

• Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers
• Geraniums prefer slightly alkaline soil
• Be sure to water them regularly during dry spells

11. Catnip

Catnip is an herb that produces fragrant leaves that cats love. It's also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Catnip

To plant catnip, choose a spot in your garden with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Plant the catnip plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should growing quickly.

Tips for Growing Catnip

• Catnip prefers slightly alkaline soil
• Be sure to keep it well-watered, as it likes moist soil
• Catnip can be invasive, so consider planting it in a container

12. Chives

Chives are an herb that produces fragrant leaves and small, purple flowers. They're also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Chives

To plant chives, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the chive plants about 6 inches apart. Water them well, and they should growing quickly.

Tips for Growing Chives

• Chives prefer slightly alkaline soil
• Be sure to keep them well-watered during dry spells
• Chives can be harvested regularly for use in cooking

13. Thyme

Thyme is an herb that produces fragrant leaves and small, pink or white flowers. It's also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Thyme

To plant thyme, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the thyme plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should growing quickly.

Tips for Growing Thyme

• Thyme prefers slightly alkaline soil
• Be sure to prune it regularly to promote bushier growth
• Thyme can be harvested regularly for use in cooking

14. Sage

Sage is an herb that produces fragrant leaves and small, purple or pink flowers. It's also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Sage

To plant sage, choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Plant the sage plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should growing quickly.

Tips for Growing Sage

• Sage prefers slightly alkaline soil
• Be sure to prune it regularly to promote bushier growth
• Sage can be harvested regularly for use in cooking

15. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an herb that produces fragrant leaves and small, white or pink flowers. It's also a natural squirrel repellent.

How to Plant Lemon Balm

To plant lemon balm, choose a spot in your garden with partial shade and well-draining soil. Plant the lemon balm plants about 2 feet apart. Water them well, and they should growing quickly.

Tips for Growing Lemon Balm

• Lemon balm prefers slightly acidic soil
• Be sure to keep it well-watered, as it likes moist soil
• Lemon balm can be harvested regularly for use in cooking or to make tea

If you're tired of squirrels destroying your garden, planting plants that deter them can help. Alliums, daffodils, fritillaries, hyacinths, snowdrops, lavender, rosemary, mint, marigolds, geraniums, catnip, chives, thyme, sage, and lemon balm are all great options to consider. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you can enjoy a beautiful, squirrel-free space.

FAQs

1. Are there any plants that attract squirrels?

Yes, some plants that attract squirrels include acorns, berries, nuts, and seeds.

2. Will planting these plants guarantee that squirrels won't come into my garden?

No, there's no guarantee that planting these plants will keep squirrels out of your garden. However, they may help deter them.

3. Can I plant these plants in containers instead of in the ground?

Yes, many of these plants can be grown in containers. Just be sure to choose a container that's large enough for the plant to grow, and use well-draining soil.

4. Do these plants have any other benefits besides repelling squirrels?

Yes, many of these plants are also edible or have medicinal properties. For example, rosemary can be used in cooking, and lavender can help relieve stress.

5. How often do I need to water these plants?

Each plant has different watering needs, but in general, it's best to water them regularly, especially during dry spells. Be sure to also check the soil moisture level before watering.