Why hanging CDs in your garden this July could save your strawberries and raspberries
Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to repurpose their old CDs this July by hanging them in their gardens. Remember CDs? Those shiny discs filled with music that were popular before the advent of Spotify.
Now, gardeners are dusting off their old Busted albums and using them to safeguard their green spaces. Of course, it doesn't have to be a CD as an old DVD will do the trick too.
The purpose of this unusual gardening tip is to protect fruits and vegetables from bird predators. Despite their reputation for being attracted to shiny objects, birds are actually scared off by CDs.
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So, your strawberries and raspberries will be safe if you line your raised beds with these reflective discs. The light reflecting off the CDs startles the birds, especially when a breeze causes them to spin and reflect light in random directions, reports the Express.
Gardening page Food For Trees and Africa shared this tip, stating: "Did you know that by hanging old CDs around your food garden, you'll startle birds with the reflecting light and keep them away from your vegetables and herbs. It's a trick we've put into action at the Food and Trees for Africa food garden."
They suggest hanging the discs loosely so they can spin in the wind and catch the sun's rays, and recommend changing their location periodically to prevent the birds from getting used to them.
The CDs will instantly trigger birds' flight response, causing them to swiftly flee. It's important to occasionally change the location of the discs to prevent birds from becoming accustomed to their source.
This way, you can cultivate strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and other crops without the worry of winged intruders, while guiding birds towards safer areas like lawns where they can feast on slugs and worms instead.