Bulbs and squirrels

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by pickle, Aug 11, 2016.

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  1. pickle

    pickle Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi All,
    Does anyone have any squirrel-proof tips for planting bulbs. I want to naturalise them - in my lawn. Would like mostly crocus but also want to plant some cyclamen and colchicums.
    Anyone have experience - I know squirrels are canny little critters!
    Thanks.
     
  2. WeeTam

    WeeTam Total Gardener

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    I put green coated chicken wire over my overwintering container bulbs,seems to work.
    You could do the same on the lawns in patches ? eg 5 bulbs planted with a round piece of wire placed above them then the lawn turf on top. A pain in the butt yes but it would work?
     
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    • pamsdish

      pamsdish Total Gardener

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      I do similar to @WeeTam, crows/jackdaws are my bug bear, they dig about looking for food and until the roots get started and provide an anchor, I had to keep re-planting.
       
    • pickle

      pickle Apprentice Gardener

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      Thanks for the above; I have done as WeeTam suggested and used chicken wire AND I soaked them in paraffin!
       
    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      I have bulbs naturalised under my trees and also squirrels. However the squirrels don't really bother the bulbs. A couple of times a year I will find a few bulbs next to a hole. I suspect the squirrels may be responsible for some of the bulbs popping up in odd places. I did plant the original bulbs fairly deep and the ground is hard with roots and stones in it which makes it difficult to dig the bulbs up as I'm reminded whenever I try to split a large clump.
       
    • pickle

      pickle Apprentice Gardener

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      Oh that sounds lovely! Well its true enough that the squirrels don't seem too interested - they've had a little go but not much. No, now it's just the muncjac I've got to stop from nibbling the tops off!!!
       
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