Backyard farming offers countless rewards, from homegrown vegetables to fresh eggs and honey, but it also brings the challenge of sharing your crops with wildlife. Whether it's deer nibbling on your leafy greens, squirrels raiding your fruit trees, or rabbits munching on your garden beds, wildlife can pose a significant threat to your farm’s productivity. While it’s essential to respect nature, protecting your backyard farm from unwanted animal visitors is necessary to ensure that you’re able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

In this blog post, we’ll explore various strategies to protect your backyard farm from wildlife while still maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature.

1. Fencing: The First Line of Defense

Fencing is often the most effective and straightforward way to protect your farm from wildlife. A properly designed and well-maintained fence can keep out a wide range of animals, including deer, rabbits, raccoons, and more. The type of fence you choose depends on the animals you're trying to keep out and your specific needs.

Types of Fences for Backyard Farms:

  • Wire Mesh Fences: A standard wire mesh fence can be an excellent deterrent for rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons. For deer, use a taller fence (at least 8 feet high), as they can easily jump over shorter barriers.

  • Electric Fences: Electric fences are effective at deterring larger animals like deer, coyotes, and even wild pigs. They provide a shock when the animal makes contact, which teaches them to avoid the area.

  • Chicken Wire or Hardware Cloth: These materials are perfect for keeping small animals, like rodents, out of raised beds and small garden areas.

  • Livestock Fencing: For goats, sheep, or other larger animals, sturdy livestock fencing (e.g., woven wire or electric netting) can keep them safely enclosed.

Additional Tips:

  • Bury the Bottom of the Fence: For animals like rabbits and burrowing rodents, bury the bottom of your fence several inches into the ground to prevent them from digging underneath it.

  • Use Proper Gate Latches: Wildlife can be surprisingly resourceful, so make sure your gates are securely closed and properly latched.

2. Netting and Row Covers for Crops

While fences work well for large animals, smaller creatures such as birds, squirrels, and rabbits can still wreak havoc on your crops. To protect your plants, netting and row covers are excellent options.

Netting:

  • Bird Netting: Lightweight, flexible bird netting can keep birds away from your fruits and vegetables. It's especially effective for protecting berry bushes, fruit trees, and young seedlings.

  • Insect Mesh: Fine mesh nets can also help protect plants from smaller pests, but they can also double as a deterrent for small wildlife.

Row Covers:

Row covers are another great way to protect your crops. These lightweight fabrics create a barrier between wildlife and your plants while still allowing sunlight and rain to nourish them. They are particularly useful for preventing damage from rabbits, deer, and other larger animals that tend to nibble on crops.

Best Uses for Row Covers:

  • Vegetables: Protect leafy greens, lettuce, and cabbage from being eaten by deer and rabbits.

  • Fruits: Use netting or row covers for berry bushes or young fruit trees to shield them from birds and squirrels.

3. Use of Natural Deterrents

Another non-invasive method of protecting your backyard farm from wildlife is through the use of natural deterrents. These methods work by making your farm less appealing to animals, whether through scent, taste, or sound.

Scents and Sprays:

  • Predator Scents: The scent of predators can scare away smaller animals like deer, rabbits, and raccoons. You can purchase predator urine from companies that sell it as a repellent. Simply spray it around your farm to give the illusion that predators are nearby.

  • Garlic, Hot Pepper, and Soap Sprays: Homemade sprays made from garlic, hot pepper, and castile soap can be sprayed on plants to deter deer and other herbivores. Animals dislike the strong smell and taste, making them less likely to feast on your crops.

Noise Makers and Motion Sensors:

  • Wind Chimes: The sound of wind chimes can help keep birds and other wildlife at bay, especially if placed near your garden or fruit trees.

  • Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices sense movement and spray water, scaring away animals like deer, raccoons, and even cats. They’re humane and effective, particularly in larger areas.

4. Companion Planting and Natural Barriers

Some plants naturally repel wildlife due to their strong scents or toxic properties. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you can act as a natural barrier to unwanted animals while also benefiting your crops.

Wildlife-Repellent Plants:

  • Lavender: Its strong fragrance repels deer, rabbits, and insects.

  • Marigolds: Known to deter a variety of pests, marigolds can also help keep wildlife away from your vegetables.

  • Garlic and Onions: Their pungent smell can repel many types of herbivores, including rabbits, deer, and squirrels.

  • Chives: Planting chives around your garden can deter deer and other animals from munching on your vegetables.

In addition to companion planting, creating natural barriers using thorny or tough plants can also help keep wildlife out. For example, planting a dense row of thorny bushes like blackberries or raspberries can discourage deer and other creatures from entering your garden.

5. Securing Your Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes

Fruit trees and berry bushes are particularly susceptible to wildlife, especially birds, squirrels, and raccoons. Securing your trees and bushes is essential to preserving your harvest.

Protective Methods:

  • Tree Guards: Use tree guards or wraps to protect young fruit trees from rodents like squirrels and rabbits that may chew on the bark or nibble at the roots.

  • Bird Netting: As mentioned earlier, bird netting can keep birds from eating your fruits. Ensure that the netting is tightly secured around the plants to prevent birds from getting trapped.

  • Fencing: For larger fruit trees, you may need to surround the area with a protective fence to keep out larger animals like deer, which might browse on the lower branches.

6. Maintaining a Clean Farm

Keeping your backyard farm tidy and well-maintained can discourage wildlife from taking up residence. Regularly clear fallen fruits, vegetables, and plant debris that may attract animals looking for an easy meal. A clean, organized space will make your farm less appealing to pests and help reduce the risk of infestation.

Conclusion: Coexisting with Wildlife on Your Backyard Farm

While wildlife can present challenges to backyard farmers, it’s important to remember that these animals are part of the ecosystem. Rather than resorting to harmful methods, using humane, natural strategies to protect your farm allows you to maintain a balanced, sustainable environment.

By incorporating fencing, natural deterrents, companion planting, and proper care for your crops, you can successfully protect your farm from wildlife. Remember, the goal is to find a balance between growing your food and coexisting with nature, so you can continue to enjoy the rewards of your backyard farming efforts while respecting the creatures around you.