How to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Garden Using Plants

Squirrels are cute and fuzzy from afar, but when the rodents get close, they can destroy your garden. These small troublemakers love digging up veggies and many species of plants in search of seeds and food. They’ll also occupy any bird feeders, stuffing their cheek pouches with hundreds of nuts. By using what’s available in nature, you can stop their unwelcome visitations completely by growing plants that give off scents they don’t like. 

Marigolds

Marigolds are easy to grow and will give your garden an additional rugged but beautiful touch. They’re also very effective at keeping squirrels away from your bird feeders and vegetables. Plant them around your garden’s borders to give the squirrels a sniff of something they’ll stay away from.

Allium

Alliums are a plant family with hundreds of plant species that are familiar to us, including onions, chives, leeks, shallots, scallions, and garlic. As such, they produce a powerful scent that squirrels aren’t fans of. You can hit two birds with one stone by planting alliums. Not only will these plants keep squirrels away from your garden, but you’ll also have some fresh, homegrown veggies to eat. 

Catnip

Catnip is another excellent option for scaring off squirrels due to its strong aroma, even though there’s a tradeoff. Placing catnip in your garden may attract a cat or two, perhaps even more, which can be especially dangerous if you have dogs. Only plant catnip if you don’t mind a few kitty guests every once in a while, and plant it unevenly in your garden for maximum effect. 

Daffodils

Daffodils contain lycorine, a toxic compound that is uninviting to squirrels. Although not deadly when consumed in small amounts, daffodils will give a curious squirrel a quick trip to the toilet and an embarrassing experience to tell its mates. On the other hand, these plants will give your garden an extra nice look with their yellow bulbs. 

Lavender

Planting lavender in your garden is highly beneficial in many regards, not just for keeping squirrels away. They’ll add a pleasant, aromatic, and persistent scent that will make your environment pop. In addition to its deliciousness to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which contributes to the ecosystem, lavender helps to get rid of squirrels in one go!

Rosemary

Rosemary has many uses in cooking, giving simple dishes an extra edge. It’s also a hardy herb, able to grow in rough and seemingly unsuitable conditions with ease. Squirrels hate the smell of this herb and will actively avoid any area they consider too smelly. And when rosemary starts to bloom, you’ll be in for a purple delight. 

Thyme

Another popular culinary herb, thyme, is just as unpleasant to squirrels as rosemary. In fact, why not pop down a line of herbs at a few points around your garden for a scent overload? It’ll be easier to pick them up at the proper time, and the overwhelming scents will prevent squirrels from sneaking into your garden.

Mint

What’s fresher than the scent of mint in the morning that’ll instantly make your day better? The scent of mint in your garden because you’ll know that no neighborhood squirrel will ever consider stepping on your property. They also won’t be able to use your mint to wash their gnarly teeth.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a tough plant with flowers that look like they’re made of white chocolate. However, squirrels know better than to approach the area around this plant for two reasons. First, they hate the smell, and second, and more importantly, these flowers are toxic. So the rodents just prefer to avoid it altogether. 

Geraniums

The Geranium genus contains over 420 different plant species. Hence, you have a wide variety of these beautiful flowers to plant in your garden. They’re easy to maintain (requiring moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil), and squirrels absolutely hate them. But you’ll love these plants due to their beauty and squirrel-repellent nature. 

Goldenrods

Goldenrods are used for their medicinal properties, which include treating urinary tract inflammation and kidney stone prevention. However, they also cause seasonal allergies, so some people aren’t quite fond of them. Squirrels are the same, hating the scent of goldenrods and giving the plants a wide space to avoid smelling something as ‘foul’.

Galanthus

Galanthus, or snowdrops, are plants that bloom once winter passes. They are the messengers of spring, the first to break the gray and cold status quo. As for squirrels, it’s a sign that hundreds of other stinky, irritating scents will start taking over the atmosphere. Just be careful if you have kids or pets, because these plants are toxic if ingested. 

Fritillaries

Fritillaries are like something out of a science fiction novel—weird but gorgeous-looking. They’re a bit tougher to grow but are perennial, meaning they’ll keep growing from season to season. As a result, they can keep your garden squirrel-free for most of the year. But just like Galanthus, fritillaries are toxic if ingested by people or animals. Fortunately, there’s no need to worry about squirrels’ well-being, as they won’t come close to this plant.

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