Tomato Wars

August 26, 2011

Squirrels LOVE my tomatoes! I have grown tomatoes for 30 plus years, and have been fighting over who gets to eat the tomatoes, me, or "the squirrels".

Now, I have tried just about every old-time remedy that I ever heard about. I have surrounded my plants with human hair clippings. I have tied aluminum pans to poles hoping the noise would keep those pesky squirrels away. I have tried hot pepper spray-those squirrels thought I made them salsa! I tried tying bars of soap around my plants. Well, I had clean plants, but it didn't deter the squirrels a bit.

This year, as a last resort, I tried tying shiny, red Christmas ornaments around my plants. The idea is that the squirrels think they are getting a plump red tomato, and instead they get frustrated trying to gnaw on a tasteless plastic ball!  Now, I must admit--I got more tomatoes this year than I got in the last five years! Guess I'll try again next year after all.

If you're having trouble with other garden pests, you might want to check out Tips From The Old Gardeners by Duncan Crosbie, or Organic Pest Control for Home & Garden by Tom Roberts. 

All I've got to say is good luck to ya! Happy gardening.

Julie C.
Raytown Branch