Protecting Your Plants From Pests

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Someone down the street planted a quince shrub this summer and surrounded it with a low chicken wire cage to shield it from critters. Even though quince shrubs aren't particularly palatable to deer, it's natural for a gardener to want to protect any new baby plant until it grows tall or tough enough to defend itself.

Then a few weeks later, more protective gear appeared: on top of the cage, two metallic pinwheels that spun all day in the sun. Things that flutter in the breeze and reflect light are said to deter various pests. Opinions vary on whether it works - it probably depends on how hungry or bold a bunny or bird or Bambi is feeling - but it's easy, cheap and worth a try.

Now I noticed the other day that those pinwheels are gone, the shrub has survived the summer, and the low cage has been replaced with a taller one. Time will tell if it's enough to keep the bunnies at bay and the chipmunks away from the flowers in the spring and the fruit to follow next fall.