Protecting bulbs from squirrels etc ?

[skeetmoses]

Hi,

I'd like to know how to protect my bulbs from squirrels etc

Someone told me galvanized mesh but I went to the hardware store and it came way more than I needed so I didn't buy it

I want to put my tulips down

Last year I did it and most of them came up missing, there were just empty holes in the ground where I had planted them

Please respond[/b]

[Daytons]

We sell a product at our garden center that you are supposed to soak your tulip bulbs in and it is a repellent to squirrels, chipmunks, etc... I have had a good response from it. Ropel and Repellex are 2 that you may be able to find on the market. Or, you can apply a wire mesh as you said.

[jerseygirl]

I've been battling those pests for years. Here's a tip for protecting bulbs. After you've planted a bed, cover it with some old boards or plywood or even left-over siding. Put some rocks on top to hold it down. Then when the ground freezes you can remove the boards. Looks terrible but it works. Then in the spring when the bulbs emerge, the squirrels will be back to chomp off the flower stem. I've had success with spraying Red Pepper Spray on the plants. You can get this at a garden center. Good luck!

[lmichieli]

I haven't put this to the test yet but it comes from an old friend who has been gardening for decades.

Plant the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis
- Aurora (orange)
- Lutea (yellow)
- Rubra Maxima (red)
- Aureomarginata (variegated foliage - Red blossom)
These give off a skunk like odour that effect the air and the soil. Its good against rabbits, mice, moles, voles, and ground squirrels. Not many are needed one or two placed 20ft apart is supposed to be good enough for a average garden.

The bonus is these are beautiful to look at.