As much as I love animals, and especially squirrels, they can really be a nuisance in the garden.
It all started when my mom’s neighbor’s rabbit stole two whole carrot harvests from her backyard before we finally did something about it. Then, squirrels started wreaking havoc around the area and we had no other option but to take preventive measures. Yeah…we were just as frustrated as you.
Here are 9 easy-to-grow plants that will protect your garden from annoying (yet irresistibly cute!) squirrels!
9 Easy-To-Grow Plants To Protect Your Garden From Squirrels
1: Daffodils
As beautiful and attractive as daffodils appear, squirrels actually hate them because they contain a toxic compound that makes them really bitter and unpleasant tasting.
Yeah… one thing you need to remember with animals is that they won’t eat what they don’t like.
Planting daffodils around the outer corners of your garden is a solid plan as it ensures no squirrels will be coming in after coming in contact with this perennial.
2: Alliums
Alliums too can add exquisite beauty to your garden thanks to their vibrant round blooms. However, the perennial also repels animals like deer and squirrels thanks to its pungent onion-like smell.
Many gardeners even plant alliums for pest and insect protection as even the tiny ones don’t find this flowering plant very pleasant to be around.
3: Fritillaria
I have rarely ever mentioned fritillaries before as they typically fly under the radar. However, that doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. This perennial emits a strong, pungent scent that, although is super hard to describe, deters squirrels effortlessly.
Their diverse, vibrant colors and unique flower shape make them a viable option for overall garden beautification too. It’s like killing two birds with one stone, eh?
4: Marigolds
Now, marigolds are flowers that usually DO NOT fly under the radar. They’re bold, vibrant, attention-grabbing, but highly productive at the same time.
These hardy flowers can withstand a variety of different conditions and release certain compounds that deter squirrels without any trouble whatsoever. You can rely on marigolds to keep your garden safe and sound when you’re not around.
5: Hyacinths
Hyacinths are probably one of my most favorite flowers for adding color and brightness to the garden. They’re full of life and extremely useful at the same time.
The perennial emits a strong scent through its flower spikes and is able to deter pests and insects as well as squirrels at the same time. The thing I love about hyacinths is just how easy they are to grow despite having this sophisticated, elegant aura.
6: Lily Of The Valley
This tough perennial can thrive in both sunny and partial shaded conditions. It has minimal care requirements and is super easy to grow as long as you know what you’re doing.
Lily of the valley contains certain kinds of toxic compounds that squirrels find extremely unpleasant and try to stay away from. A good plan would be to plant a bunch of lily of the valley plants on the edges of your garden to keep squirrels from entering the space and ruining your main crops.
7: Mint
Mint, as we already know, is super pungent and strong. Deer hate it, pests and insects hate it, and squirrels most definitely hate it. They won’t come close to your garden if they smell mint, but even if they do, they likely won’t return after having a bite.
Just a quick heads-up, mint grows aggressively and can quickly take over your entire garden! To keep it under control, plant it in a pot instead.
Trust me, been there, done that. Otherswise you’ll still be pulling out mint years later!
8: Garlic
Garlic is already quite popular in the gardening space for its incredible pest repellent properties. Same is the case with squirrels and they absolutely hate its powerful garlicky aroma.
Yeah…no squirrel is coming anywhere near your garden if you have any amount of garlic in there.
9: Snowdrops
These delicate-looking but hardy white perennials bloom around late winter and they’re given this name due to their ability to bloom even in snow.
Although snowdrops don’t emit any kind of strong unpleasant aroma, they do contain compounds that can be toxic to squirrels. Luckily, they seem to know better and usually steer clear of them!
