You may have noticed a curious addition to our tomato beds this week: compact discs. They are an experiment to try to deter the birds from eating our tomatoes.
The trouble started when our first full-size tomatoes ripened. We showed up at the garden expecting to pick ripe tomatoes, only to find all the ripe ones already partially eaten.
We suspected squirrels, raccoons or bunnies. Then we began to wonder if the ever-present birds might be the culprits.
The presence of birds is generally a delight in the garden. Yet, we definitely draw the line at deeding them our tomato crop.
We're not the first to keep birds from their garden with CDs dangling from strings. It's generally acknowledged that their movement in the breeze and reflectivity can make birds uncomfortable enough to stay away from adjacent food crops.
At the very least, they should make for interesting conversation.
Update 8/28: The CDs have made a noticeable difference. A few additional tomatoes have been damaged, but the remainder of the crop has been beautiful!
