Tomato season is exciting, but if you’ve battled with birds pecking your precious fruit, you know how frustrating it can be.
Before reaching for nets or repellents, try this surprisingly simple and clever trick: red Christmas baubles.
Here's how it works and how you can use it in your own garden.
Birds, especially during the hotter months, are often drawn to tomatoes for moisture and color. They’re particularly attracted to red or pink hues, which signal ripeness.
Unfortunately, by the time you find the evidence, the fruit is already damaged. This is where the red ornament hack comes in handy.
The concept is based on simple conditioning.
Birds see the red ornaments and think they’re ripe tomatoes. They peck, realize it’s not food, and lose interest.
Over time, they associate the red color with disappointment, and when your real tomatoes begin to ripen, they’re far less likely to touch them.
You don’t need anything fancy. Grab a few plain red Christmas ornaments, plastic ones are best, especially if you’re growing in windy areas or want to avoid broken glass.
Start by tying or clipping the baubles directly onto your tomato cages, stakes, or branches.
You should do this early, before the tomatoes start to change color. The key is to train the birds before your fruit ripens.
Make sure the baubles are securely fastened so they don’t fall and roll away.
You also spread them out evenly through your garden so most of your plants are covered. And stick to plain red ones as glittery or patterned ornaments might not be as effective.
Some gardeners even swap in different shades of red if they notice birds getting used to one look. You can experiment and adjust as needed.
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