It’s always a bummer to lose sweet fruit growing in your garden or orchard, but one method for saving your harvest could be as simple as a box o’ rocks. Some say painted rocks or pebbles can deter birds from pecking at ripening fruit.
The idea is that if you paint pebbles red and scatter them in your garden, birds will peck at them and be discouraged. Then, when your strawberries or cherries ripen, the birds will ignore them. Or, a gardener could try using larger rocks painted red or yellow to teach chickens not to bother pecking at tomatoes, squash, etc.
Have you ever tried this technique or something similar? If so, how did it work for you?
Shelley Stonebrook is MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine’s main gardening editor. She’s passionate about growing healthy, sustainable food and taking care of our environment. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterestand Google+.