Use Physical Barriers

After gardening for a couple seasons, I began to imagine all the pests in nearby counties receiving little popup notifications whenever I planted something new. "Alert: Nicole has lettuce seedlings. Act fast!"

One way or another, pests are going to find their way to your garden. But you can use simple physical barriers to deny them access to your plants once they arrive.

Effective physical barriers include squirrel cages, deer fences, hardware cloth underneath your bed (to keep out animals that burrow), and even just some simple garden mesh. The best type of barrier for your space will depend on which pests you most want to keep out. Deer fences can keep out deer (as long as they're at least 8 feet tall), but cabbage moths can fly right through or over them.

My physical barrier of choice is agfabric, super fine mesh created for pest protection. The fabric lets in air, sunlight, and water, but it keeps pests ranging from aphids to caterpillars out. I've even found it to be effective against larger pests like squirrels and bunnies.

Agfabric works best when used preventatively (in other words, before the pests ever have access). The day you plant something new, install some garden mesh by stretching hoops across your beds, draping the fabric over the hoops, and securing the sides with landscaping pins.

If you're growing leafy greens and root crops, the mesh can stay in place at all times. You'll simply lift it up to tend or harvest, then put it right back. If you're growing fruiting plants, you'll have to uncover the bed during the day, when pollinators are active, and then put the mesh back in place at night, before the majority of pests come out.

Learn more about using garden covers to protect your veggies from pests.