Stop Rabbits Digging Up Your Seedlings For Good With This Low-Profile, Budget-Friendly Garden Fix
This wire cloche is hard-wearing and reliable
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There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours tending to your garden only to find that eager critters have dug up all your hard work. And as spring approaches, this scenario grows ever more likely – which is why you might be looking for a way to protect your prized seedlings. The solution? A simple wire cloche.
I've been eyeing up this wire garden cloche set from Amazon. It's rust-proof and adjustable, with a handy split design which allows you to use it for a whole host of plants.
There are plenty of natural ways to protect your garden – whether you use thorny foliage or add a layer of gravel as a deterrent – but sometimes, a more heavy-duty option is your best bet. At less than $60, I'd say this is a sound investment if you're keen to shield all your young seedlings without creating an eyesore in your garden.
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Whether you're shielding them from frost or guarding them against rabbits and other pests, protecting your plants can feel like a full time job.
And although DIY cloche ideas can be extremely effective, many gardeners still rely on traditional chicken wire cloches to provide a durable and weather-resistant solution.
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a wire cloche is the shape and size of each unit.
If you have a large garden, you won't want to blow the budget on huge packs of supplies – and even if you have the space to store them, it doesn't feel like an ideal approach.
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This is where Amazon's wire garden cloche set comes in particularly handy. Thanks to an adjustable design, it can be re-formed into multiple different shapes depending on the area you're looking to protect.
The set comprises a detachable cloche with a top handle and a conical base, plus four stakes to help you secure it (and avoid it being both dug up by rodents and dislodged by the wind).
The detachable sections will help you form the cloche into a traditional cylindrical shape, for use with taller plants – but you can also use it to cover longer, flatter beds, which is ideal for seedlings. You can even lay it flat against a wall or shed.
The mesh barrier won't block your plants from the elements, but it will ensure that hungry critters will find it much harder to reach the soil.
And since you can unhook the sections of the cloche with minimal fuss, you can easily tend to your garden without removing the entire structure every time.
Cloches can seem like an extreme measure, but leaving your plants exposed is one of the biggest mistakes that can attract squirrels (and other rodents) to your yard. And with a durable, budget-friendly option like this one, you can be sure that all your precious bulbs and seedlings are protected this spring.
Why Shoppers Love This Wire Cloche Set
This particular cloche set has received plenty of positive reviews on Amazon, with customers praising its robust construction and clever design.
'It's very flexible due to the half-pieces, but also very sturdy,' says one reviewer, while another notes that it is 'very sturdy and looks nice'.
Another reviewer noted that the wire cloches even blocked domestic cats from damaging young crops, which was an added bonus.
What to Shop
If you're working with awkwardly-shaped beds or you just prefer a little more flexibility, you can always make your own garden cloches using chicken wire.
Most garden cloche sets will come with a pack of metal stakes, but it's always handy to have extras in your gardening toolkit.
This set includes 15 sheets of rust-proof mesh, 15 floor nails, and 100 cable ties. It's a wise investment – especially if you have a large garden.
Use these repellent pods both indoors and outdoors to deter rodents like rats and mice. The strong scent is a non-toxic alternative to chemical sprays.
If you're looking for a simple but hard-wearing option, these cylindrical cloches are ideal. They come with a pack of stakes and a variety of handy labels.
If wire cloches don't do the trick, try a mini greenhouse like this one. The set includes a metal raised garden bed and a durable plastic cover.
Looking for even more ways to protect your plants? We've pulled together the best cold frame ideas to keep your seedlings happy and healthy.
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Martha is a Content Editor on the Gardens team. Her love for lifestyle journalism began when she interned at Time Out Dubai when she was 15 years old; she went on to study English and German at Oxford, before covering property and interior design at Country & Town House magazine. To Martha, living beautifully is all about good food and lots of colorful home decor.