Have you noticed forks sticking up out of the ground in people’s gardens lately? Maybe in a small circle, with the tines pointing up and out in a way you could almost describe as… threatening?
That’s because it’s fork season! Of course, nobody’s actually growing utensils. But there is something growing underneath. And those forks, believe it or not, are an important part of the process.
Forks as Pest Deterrent
Late fall is fork season because it’s also bulb season. Right now is the perfect time to plant daffodils, crocuses, tulips, hyacinths… pretty much any bulb that needs a chilling period before blooming in the spring. And no one likes a freshly planted bulb more than these guys:
Squirrels love bulbs. They’re especially partial to tulips and crocuses. Fall is when they’re running around collecting food for the winter, and it’s also when you’re planting your bulbs in nice, loose, easy-to-dig soil. It’s a perfect storm for bulb loss.
But if you surround a newly planted bulb with forks, sticking up out of the soil like a ring of turrets, they’ll stand a fighting chance. It may look a little whacky, and the neighbors may have questions. Tell them it’ll all make sense – they just have to wait until spring for the big payoff.
How to Use Forks to Repel Squirrels
Get your hands on some forks. I used metal ones in the photo above, but chances are you can’t spare that much cutlery from your kitchen. A pack of 100 cheap plastic forks from Amazon will get the job done.
- After planting your bulb, tamp the soil down firmly – otherwise a hungry squirrel will just yank the forks right out.
- Sink the handle of a fork into the ground just to the side of the bulb, so the tines are sticking up.
- Repeat this to form a ring of 3-4 forks around the bulb.
Do this for every bulb that you plant. It may be tempting to spread the forks out, but it’s best to keep them in a tight group. The whole point is to box the squirrels out – if you leave any open space for them to dig, they’ll find it!
Other Pests You Can Deter with Forks
It’s not just squirrels you can send packing with forks. Reportedly, the same tines-up technique will keep away raccoons, slugs, and even cats looking for a refreshing outdoor litter box. So sticking forks in your garden may solve all your pest problems at once. Go on, give it a try. What do you have to lose?
Squirrel-Proof Bulb Equipment
Don't have a hundred spare forks sitting around in your kitchen? I'm not surprised. Get a hundred-pack delivered right to your door and start building your defenses.
Worried you've missed the bulb-planting window? You haven't! Order your tulip bulbs today to slip them into the ground before it freezes for the winter.
Did you just order that 50 pack of tulip bulbs? Dreading digging 50 holes in a row? Ditch the trowel and get them in the ground with this specially designed bulb planter.
