As spring brings new life to British gardens, it also attracts unwanted visitors eager to feast on the fruits of our labour.
Birds are particularly drawn to ripening produce, often making off with strawberries, tomatoes and other crops before gardeners have a chance to harvest them.
This leaves many green-fingered Britons frustrated as they watch their carefully tended plants become an avian buffet.
Fortunately, a creative solution has emerged that offers an eco-friendly way to protect garden bounty from feathered thieves.
Painted pebbles could act as realistic decoys
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Richard King, garden expert at Dino Decking, has shared a clever hack inspired by social media trends on TikTok and Reddit.
"By painting small rocks using waterproof paint, gardeners can create realistic-looking decoys that resemble ripe fruit such as strawberries, tomatoes and more," Richard explained.
"These colourful fakes lure birds in early, only for them to be met with a hard, unappetising surprise and over time, conditioning birds to associate those bright colours with disappointment and avoid the real thing altogether." The technique is not only effective but family-friendly too.
"It's a brilliantly simple deterrent that's eco-friendly, safe for wildlife, and surprisingly effective. Plus, it's a great way to involve children in the garden," he added.
Through this activity, children can be creative, learn about nature, and feel part of the growing process.
To try this hack at home, start by collecting smooth, rounded stones that resemble the size and shape of the fruit you want to imitate.
Use outdoor-safe acrylic paint in bright colours that birds can easily spot – red for strawberries, yellow for apricots, or purple for plums.
Add fine details like seeds or stems using smaller brushes to make your rocks more convincing.
Once dry, seal the stones with a clear, waterproof sealant for durability. The strategic placement of these painted decoys is crucial for success.
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The stones should be placed near the fruit before it begins to ripen
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Position the stones among your plants early in the growing season, before any fruit begins to ripen.
For maximum effectiveness, place strawberry rocks about three weeks before your real strawberries turn red.
This timing trains birds to avoid your garden just as your actual crops are developing.
The technique provides a chemical-free alternative to traditional bird deterrents.
It's a perfect weekend project that combines gardening knowledge with artistic expression while protecting your precious harvest from winged raiders.
