What Garden Vegetables Will Squirrels Not Eat? (ANSWERED!)

Gardening can be a rewarding and fulfilling hobby, but it can also be frustrating when animals like squirrels and rabbits feast on your hard-earned produce.

What Garden Vegetables Will Squirrels Not Eat?

Squirrels are notorious for their love of nuts, but they’re also known to nibble on fruits and vegetables. However, there are some garden vegetables that they tend to avoid. For example, squirrels are less likely to eat spicy or bitter vegetables, as well as those with tough or fuzzy skins. By strategically choosing which vegetables to plant, gardeners can increase their chances of enjoying a bountiful harvest.

Understanding Squirrels’ Feeding Habits:

Squirrels are known to be opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything that they can find in gardens.

However, there are certain vegetables that squirrels tend to avoid.

Understanding squirrels’ feeding habits can help gardeners choose the right vegetables to grow in their gardens.

One of the reasons why squirrels avoid certain vegetables is their taste.

Squirrels have a very sensitive sense of taste and are known to avoid vegetables that have a bitter taste.

For example, squirrels are not fond of vegetables like kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

These vegetables have a distinct bitter taste that squirrels find unpalatable.

Another reason why squirrels avoid certain vegetables is their texture. Squirrels prefer vegetables that are soft and easy to chew.

Vegetables that are hard and fibrous, like carrots and beets, are not as appealing to squirrels.

Squirrels are also known to avoid vegetables that have a tough outer skin, like squash and pumpkins.

Finally, squirrels are known to avoid vegetables that have a strong smell. Vegetables like garlic and onions have a strong odor that squirrels find unappealing.

Squirrels are also known to avoid vegetables that have a pungent smell, like hot peppers.

Overall, understanding squirrels’ feeding habits can help gardeners choose the right vegetables to grow in their gardens.

By planting vegetables that squirrels tend to avoid, gardeners can reduce the damage caused by these furry pests.

Squirrel-Resistant Vegetables:

Root Vegetables:

Squirrels tend to avoid root vegetables, making them a great choice for any garden.

Some examples of root vegetables that squirrels are less likely to eat include:

Carrots
Radishes
Parsnips
Turnips

These vegetables are also easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners.

Leafy Greens:

While squirrels may nibble on some leafy greens, there are a few that they tend to avoid.

These include:

Arugula
Endive
Swiss chard
Collard greens

These greens are also packed with nutrients, making them a healthy addition to any diet.

Fruits and Berries

Squirrels love fruits and berries, but there are a few that they tend to avoid.

These include:

Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Blueberries

While these fruits and berries may still attract squirrels, they are less likely to be completely devoured.

Herbs:

Herbs are another type of plant that squirrels tend to avoid.

Some examples of herbs that squirrels are less likely to eat include:

Basil
Dill
Mint
Oregano

These herbs are also easy to grow and can add flavor to a variety of dishes.

What is the best squirrel repellent vegetable garden?

There are several natural squirrel repellents that you can use to keep these critters away from your vegetable garden.

Here are some of the best options:

Hot peppers: Squirrels dislike the smell and taste of hot peppers, so planting them around your garden can be an effective way to keep squirrels away. You can also make a hot pepper spray by mixing a tablespoon of cayenne pepper with a quart of water and spraying it on your plants.
Garlic: Squirrels are also repelled by the smell of garlic. You can plant garlic around your garden or make a garlic spray by blending a few cloves of garlic with water and spraying it on your plants.
Blood meal: Blood meal is a natural fertilizer that is made from dried animal blood. Squirrels dislike the smell of blood meal, so sprinkling it around your garden can help keep them away.
Predator urine: Squirrels are afraid of predators like foxes and coyotes. You can buy predator urine online or at some garden centers and sprinkle it around your garden to create the illusion that there are predators in the area.
Netting: If all else fails, you can protect your garden with netting. Covering your plants with netting will prevent squirrels from getting to them.

It’s important to note that these repellents may not work for every situation, and you may need to try a combination of methods to find what works best for your garden.

What smells do squirrels hate?

Squirrels are known to be quite sensitive to certain smells, and there are a few that they particularly dislike.

One of the most common smells that squirrels hate is the smell of peppermint.

This is because the strong scent of peppermint can be overwhelming for them and can cause them to feel uncomfortable.

Other smells that squirrels don’t like include the smell of vinegar, garlic, and ammonia.

These smells are all quite strong and can be quite unpleasant for squirrels.

Additionally, squirrels also don’t like the smell of mothballs, which can be used to deter them from entering certain areas.

Finally, squirrels also don’t like the smell of smoke, which can be used to keep them away from certain areas.

All of these smells can be used to keep squirrels away from certain areas, but it is important to remember that they can be quite unpleasant for them.

How do I keep squirrels from digging in my potted plants?

Remember these:

1. Place a wire mesh or hardware cloth over the top of the pot.

2. Place a layer of stones or gravel over the soil in the pot.

3. Spray the plants with a hot pepper or garlic spray.

4. Place a motion-activated sprinkler near the plants.

5. Place a bird feeder away from the plants.

6. Place a squirrel baffle over the pot.

7. Place a plastic owl or other predator near the plants.

8. Place a fence around the plants.

9. Place a sheet of plastic or metal over the pot.

10. Place a layer of mulch over the soil in the pot.

Is there a spray to keep squirrels away from plants?

Apple cider vinegar spray is an effective way to keep squirrels away from plants.

This spray is made from a combination of apple cider vinegar and water, and it can be used to deter squirrels from eating or damaging plants.

The vinegar has a strong smell that squirrels find unpleasant, and it can be sprayed directly onto plants or around the perimeter of the garden.

The spray is also safe for use around pets and children, and it won’t harm the plants or the environment.

Additionally, the spray is easy to make and can be used on a regular basis to keep squirrels away.

To make the spray, simply mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle.

Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, and then spray the mixture directly onto the plants or around the perimeter of the garden.

The spray should be reapplied every few days to ensure that the smell remains strong and the squirrels stay away.

Apple cider vinegar spray is an effective and safe way to keep squirrels away from plants.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is clear that squirrels are not particularly fond of garden vegetables.

While they may nibble on some of them, they are more likely to go for nuts, fruits, and other items that are higher in fat and protein.

This is why it is important to be aware of what squirrels will and will not eat when planning a garden.

If you want to keep squirrels away from your vegetables, it is best to plant items that they are not likely to eat, such as onions, garlic, and peppers.

Additionally, you can also use deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers, netting, and fencing to keep them away from your garden.

Ultimately, understanding what garden vegetables squirrels will not eat can help you protect your garden and ensure that your vegetables are safe from these pesky critters.