I’m growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for my first time not on a balcony, and I’m a tad concerned about caterpillars, squirrels, and other wildlife finding their way to my crops; that said, I would like to keep my space as earth friendly as possible, so chemical pesticides are out. I’ve read blog articles about trimming the lowest branches to prevent disease and planting trap crops such as nasturtiums and marigolds to lure pests away from the tomatoes. Do these techniques actually work? How do other gardeners handle this situation?
Birds will sometimes go after tomatoes just for the water inside them. Providing a source of fresh water, like a clean bird bath, can prevent some losses. I’ve also heard that red painted rocks by strawberries will prevent birds from eating the actual strawberries once they grow in, but I haven’t tried that one myself.