Raising chickens can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but nothing is more annoying than having your carefully cultivated flower beds destroyed by pecking hens! While they may not mean to cause destruction, their natural instinct to forage can wreak havoc on the beauty of your flowers or vegetable garden. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to keep your feathered friends away from the plants you’ve worked so hard to maintain – read on for tips and tricks that will help keep chickens out of flower beds.
What Types of Flower Bed Exists?
There are many different types of flower beds available to suit a variety of garden styles. Some popular types include:
- Raised beds – made from raised walls, these are perfect for gardens with limited space as they allow for more plants in a smaller area. They also provide excellent drainage and can be used to create attractive and unique designs.
- Border beds – these are great for adding structure to a garden, with plants and flowers planted along the edge of a driveway or path. It’s also fairly easy to keep them well maintained and they can add a lot of visual appeal.
- Rock gardens – rock gardens are perfect for low maintenance flower beds that look beautiful on their own. They are usually filled with small succulents and stone, but can also include other plants if desired.
- Planter boxes – planter boxes allow for more creative designs than traditional beds, as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re perfect for container gardening, as they keep the soil from drying out too quickly.
- Container gardens – these are great for adding color to a garden without taking up too much space. They’re also very easy to maintain and can be moved around whenever needed.
- Hanging baskets – hanging baskets are perfect for adding a touch of color to an otherwise plain area. They can be filled with any type of plants, including succulents and ivy, and are easy to keep watered and well maintained. [1]
How to Grow a Beautiful Flower Bed?
Growing a beautiful flower garden takes commitment and hard work, but the rewards are worth it. Here are some tips to get started:
- Choose Your Flowers – Start by selecting flowers that will thrive in your area and climate. Decide if you want annuals, perennials, shade-tolerant varieties or native plants. Do your research and talk to your local garden center for advice. [2]
- Prepare the Soil – Before planting, make sure you are starting with well-worked soil that drains well. You may need to add compost or other organic material to improve soil texture and fertility. Test the pH level of the soil; most flowers prefer a slightly acidic environment.
- Plant Your Flowers – Make sure to leave enough space for your plants to grow and spread. Each type of flower will have different instructions on how deep and far apart the seeds or seedlings should be planted.
- Fertilize & Water – After planting, give your flowers a good watering. Then monitor them regularly and fertilize as needed with a balanced liquid fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
- Weed & Mulch – Keep an eye on weeds, and use mulch to help suppress their growth. There are many different types of mulches available; choose one that best suits your needs.
- Enjoy Your Flowers – Once your flowers are planted and established, sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature!
These are just a few tips to help you get started on your flower garden journey. With the right preparation and care, you can have a beautiful flower bed that will last for many years.
Don’t forget to add a few finishing touches such as bird baths or trellises for climbing vines. These will not only be attractive additions but also provide extra habitats for wildlife. And, of course, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures to share with your friends and family. With a little hard work and creativity, you can create a stunning flower garden that you will be proud of. [3]
What Flowers to Choose for a Flower Bed?
For a beautiful flower bed, you will want to choose the right type of flowers. Consider the color and size of the blooms, as well as the amount of sunlight they need. Perennials are usually a good choice since they will come back year after year with minimal effort from you! [4]
When choosing flowers for your bed, think about what colors you want to add. Reds, blues, yellows and purples can all be used to create a stunning display in your garden. Consider the height of your flowers as well – taller ones can provide some shade for shorter varieties that might not handle too much sunlight.
Some popular flower types to consider include:
- Marigolds – These bright and cheerful flowers are perfect for adding a splash of color to any garden. They come in shades of yellow, orange, and red and they also have the added benefit of being insect repellent.
- Snapdragons – These tall, colorful blooms can add a dramatic effect to your flower bed. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, from the smallest dwarf types to tall varieties.
- Daisies – These cheerful white or yellow flowers are often used in flower beds as they can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including drought. They also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies that help pollinate your garden.
- Petunias – These trailing plants come in a variety of colors and can be used to create a carpet effect in your garden. They are also easy to care for, with minimal effort required from you.
- Cosmos – These tall flowers come in pink, orange, and yellow hues and can add a pop of color to your flower bed. They require minimal effort to grow and are great for attracting pollinators!
- Zinnias – These bright flowers come in nearly every color and are easy to care for. They can be used as a colorful border around your flower bed or planted in the center as an eye-catching centerpiece. [5]
What Pests Can Spoil a Flower Bed?
Most flower beds are susceptible to a wide variety of pests, both insects and animals. Some of the most common pests that will attack flower beds include:
Aphids
Aphids are tiny insects that feed on the sap of plants, causing them to become stunted and produce fewer blossoms. Aphid infestations can be difficult to get rid of since they reproduce quickly. To prevent aphids from ruining your flower bed, be sure to inspect for signs of an infestation regularly and treat plants with an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails love the moist environment of flower beds, and will often feed on plant leaves and flowers. These pests can be controlled with baits containing iron phosphate or copper, as well as by removing decaying debris where they like to hide. Regularly checking your flower bed for signs of infestations can help keep these slimy creatures away.
Cabbage Loopers and Cutworms
These caterpillars feed on the leaves of flowers, leaving behind holes or large areas missing from the foliage. To get rid of cabbage loopers and cutworms, you can use a chemical insecticide or inspect your flower bed for signs of an infestation and hand-pick the pests.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small, black flies that breed in moist soil or decaying organic matter. They feed on plant roots and can cause stunted growth in flowers. To prevent fungus gnat infestations, make sure to keep the soil of your flower beds well-drained and check for signs of an infestation regularly.
Deer
Deer can also cause significant damage to flower beds, eating the leaves and flowers of plants. To keep deer away from your flower bed, you can utilize physical barriers such as fences or netting, or use deterrents such as strong smelling soaps or even human hair. A combination of these methods can help keep deer away from your garden and protect your flowers.
Taking steps to prevent pest infestations is important for keeping your flower bed healthy and free of damage. Regularly inspecting the plants in your flower bed, removing decaying matter, and utilizing effective pest control measures can help you maintain a beautiful garden all season long. [6]
Why are Chickens a Problem for the Flower Bed?
Chickens can cause a variety of issues in flower beds. They like to scratch and dig, which can quickly damage delicate roots and bulbs that make up a healthy flower bed. Chickens may also eat the flowers or the leaves of the plants, leaving them with stunted growth or dying off altogether. Furthermore, chickens tend to leave droppings all over the flower bed, which can lead to contamination of the soil and water. In addition, chickens will often eat weed seeds, robbing your flower bed of any valuable nutrients that come from weeds. Finally, chickens are a great way for pests to gain access to your flower bed, further damaging your flowers and plants. All these factors make it important for anyone with a flower bed to take measures to protect their flowers from chickens. [7]
How to Keep Chickens Out of Flower Beds: 16 Most Effective Ways
These are some of the most effective ways of keeping chickens away from your flower beds. From motion-activated lights to natural predators, there’s sure to be something that works for you! Just be sure to stay consistent with your efforts, and you should have no problem keeping the birds away. [8]
Plant thorny shrubs around the flower beds
Shrubs such as rose bushes, hawthorn, and barberry are great for keeping chickens away because they have thorns that will deter the birds. If you don’t want to plant a whole shrub, planting some individual branches around the flower beds may also do the trick. These can be easily found in gardening stores and should be laid out in a way that will form an effective barrier to keep the chickens away from your precious flowers.
Set up motion-activated sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers are devices that spray water when they detect movement in their vicinity. If you have chickens that like to wander around and try to get into your flower beds, setting up one or multiple of these can be an effective deterrent. The sudden spray of water will frighten the chickens away, and they won’t want to come back any time soon!
Install chicken wire fences
Chicken wire is a type of mesh that can be used for fencing off areas where you don’t want animals entering. Installing a high-quality chicken wire fence around your flower beds will do a great job of keeping chickens away. Make sure the fence is tall enough and properly secured to prevent any chickens from getting through.
Plant herbs, spices, and flowers with strong scents
Certain plants have strong smells that chickens don’t like. These include basil, thyme, mint, lavender, tansy, and marigold. Planting a few of these around your flower beds may help keep the chickens away. Similarly, strong spices like chili powder or garlic powder can also be sprinkled in the area to repel chickens.
Keep the area free of food scraps
Chickens love food scraps, so it’s important to make sure you keep your flower beds free of any edible items. This means that you should always clean up after yourself and make sure no food scraps are left lying around. Additionally, if you have bird feeders nearby, consider placing them further away from your flower beds, or even removing them altogether if necessary.
Install motion-activated lights in the area
Just like motion-activated sprinklers, motion-activated lights can also be used to deter chickens away from your flower beds. Whenever the lights detect movement, they will switch on and blind the birds. This should be enough to make them run away in terror! [9]
Hang shiny objects in the area
Chickens are easily frightened by bright and shiny objects, so try hanging some in the area around your flower beds. This could be anything from aluminum foil to CDs, and they should reflect enough light to scare away any chickens that come too close.
Install an ultrasonic animal repeller
Ultrasonic animal repellers are devices that emit a high-frequency sound when triggered by movement. The sound is loud and uncomfortable for animals, and should be enough to repel chickens away from your flower beds.
Place chicken repellent plants around the flower beds
Some plants are naturally distasteful or even poisonous for chickens, which makes them great for keeping the birds away from your flowers. Common chicken repellent plants include rue, onion, garlic, and horseradish, and can be planted around the flower beds as a deterrent.
Use mechanical decoys
Mechanical decoys are great for deterring chickens, as they look like real animals that the birds want to stay away from. Common examples of these include owl and hawk decoys, which should scare any chickens away from your flower beds.
Install mesh covers on the flower beds
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, installing mesh covers on your flower beds is one of the best ways to keep chickens away. This involves covering the entire bed with either chicken wire or heavy-duty netting, which will protect your flowers from any intruding birds.
Spread crushed eggshells around the flower beds
Chickens know that eggshells are a sign of danger, so spreading some crushed eggshells around your flower beds may be enough to deter them. You can also combine this with other methods such as sprinkling chili powder or hanging shiny objects for added effect.
Place perches away from the flower beds
If you’re trying to keep chickens away from your flower beds, it may be helpful to provide some perches somewhere else in the area. This way, the birds will have a place to rest and won’t feel as tempted to wander into your flower beds.
Employ natural predators
If you’re looking for a more organic way of keeping chickens away from your flower beds, natural predators can be used to scare them away. Cats, foxes, and even snakes can be effective in deterring chickens from the area, so you may want to consider introducing one or more of these into your garden.
Use scare tactics
You can also employ simple scare tactics to make sure chickens stay away from your flower beds. This could involve anything from blowing a whistle or banging a pot every time they come close, to using a hose or water gun to spray them away. Whatever works best for you!
Utilize visual deterrents
Visual deterrents are another great way of keeping chickens away from your flower beds. Placing large mirrors around the area can make the birds think there’s competition nearby and will scare them away. You can also try hanging old CDs or other shiny objects from strings to make them spin and reflect light, which will confuse the birds and send them running. [10]
FAQs
What is the best repellent for chickens?
The best repellent for chickens is a natural one, such as garlic and pepper. These two ingredients are both known to be effective at keeping chickens away from your plants or yard. Additionally, you can also use mulch around the areas that you want to keep them out of. This will create an uncomfortable environment for the chickens and they will likely stay away. Finally, another great repellent for chickens is a motion-activated sprinkler system. The sound of the water spraying will startle them and keep them away from your property.
Will coffee grounds keep chickens out of the garden?
Coffee grounds can be a useful tool in keeping chickens out of the garden. The smell of coffee is often unappealing to chickens and thus the presence of coffee grounds around the perimeter of the garden area may deter them from entering. Additionally, as a byproduct of drinking coffee, many people have coffee grinds available which are also an economical way to use up these leftovers rather than them going to waste.
In addition to using coffee grounds, there are other ways to keep chickens out of the garden. A fence is a more permanent solution that will be effective at deterring chickens from coming into your garden area. Additionally, setting up motion-activated water sprays or noise machines may also help with keeping chickens away.
Finally, it is important to remember that keeping chickens out of the garden does not have to be a difficult process. If you can find ways to make your garden unattractive or unpleasant for chickens then they will likely stay away.
Do chickens hate vinegar?
The short answer is, it depends. Although chickens have a strong sense of taste, they may not necessarily “hate” vinegar like some other animals do. Some chickens may find the smell and taste of apple cider vinegar off-putting, while others may not mind it at all. It is likely that there are individual preferences among chickens in this regard.
It’s important to note, however, that vinegar can be used as a natural cleaning agent and can help keep chickens healthy. Adding a couple teaspoons of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water can help improve the chicken’s digestion by adding beneficial bacteria to their diet. It also helps keep the water clean and free from harmful bacteria or parasites.
What taste do chickens hate?
It’s a known fact that chickens have an aversion to certain tastes. One of the taste experiences they find particularly unpleasant is bitterness. Bitterness comes from compounds called quinones, which can be found in specific plants and chemicals. Some examples of plants with bitter-tasting compounds include grapefruit, radishes, kale, spinach, and mustard greens. Additionally, many medications and poison-based compounds also have a bitter taste, which is why chickens are typically wary of them.
Another taste that chickens dislike is sourness. Sourness is caused by the presence of citric acids, like those found in lemons and limes. This type of flavor can be found in certain fruits and juices, as well as vinegar and other acidic condiments. Chickens usually won’t eat anything that tastes sour, as it can be too strong for them to handle.
Useful Video: How To Keep Chickens Out Of Your Flower Garden
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, keeping chickens away from flower beds does not have to be impossible. Implementing a few creative techniques, such as setting up a fence or gate around the area, using smells and noise to frighten them off, or creating physical barriers can be highly effective in keeping chickens out of flower beds. Additionally, it’s important to consider all the safety measures necessary for coexisting with animals on your property. With the right strategies and precautions, you can still enjoy beautiful flowers while maintaining a safe environment for your chickens and other wild creatures that may stop by. Ultimately, respecting both flora and fauna alike will create an orderly balance among all organisms within your home garden and lead to amazing results!
References:
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/25-flower-bed-ideas
- https://www.marthastewart.com/8386465/how-to-make-a-flower-bed
- https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/how-to-build-a-flower-bed-281474979809978/
- https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/expert-advice/shrubs-and-flowers/plant-selection/how-to-pick-flowers/
- https://www.treehugger.com/best-plants-for-flower-beds-5187970
- https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-70/E-70.html
- https://joegardener.com/podcast/backyard-chickens-benefits-and-challenges-for-gardeners-with-lisa-steele/
- https://rennieorchards.com/how-to-keep-chickens-out-of-the-garden/
- https://www.ecopeanut.com/how-to-keep-chickens-out-of-garden/
- https://www.floridayards.org/keep-chickens-out-of-flower-beds/