Pets can enrich our lives, and so can using a polytunnel to grow at least some of our own food. But what most pet owners and gardeners fail to consider is that the two things can go hand in hand. Keeping certain garden pets can actually help us in our polytunnels and gardens.
Garden Pets That Can Help in your Polytunnel
Thinking about how they can do so can be helpful when considering the maintenance and upkeep of your organic garden.
Dogs & Cats
Most dogs and cats are kept well clear of growing areas because, if left unchecked, they can easily do a lot of damage to your polytunnel and plants. That said, these garden pets can be of use in and around a polytunnel. One common pest for home growers is rodents. Rodents such as mice or even rats can do a lot of damage if they discover polytunnel crops. Some cats and dogs are mice-catchers or rat-catchers can help to curb a problem with rodents. Even if your cat or dog does not show any aptitude in that regard, having them around can still help you as a gardener, since being close to such mammals has been shown, like gardening, to reduce stress and have a beneficial impact on your mental health.
Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils Etc..
Smaller garden pets that are common in the UK can also help in a polytunnel garden. Their waste can be used to fertilise your growing areas and can be a valuable source of nutrients for your growing plants. Usually, pet waste will be added to a compost heap or other composting system, though rabbit and guinea pig faeces can be added to your garden without being composted if you wish. Pet bedding can also be used to create compost to use in your polytunnel garden.
Pet Fish
It may sound a little odd, but even pet fish can be helpful to a polytunnel gardener. Fish water is full of beneficial nutrients from the fish and can help plants to grow and thrive. Aquarium water can be used as a liquid feed but you could also consider keeping fish such as koi as part of an aquaponics system in your polytunnel, and growing food in water rather than in soil.
Chickens
One of the most popular garden pets that can be extremely beneficial to gardeners is the chicken. While you may think of chicken as more of a farmyard creature rather than a pet, more and more people are choosing to keep a few chickens as pets. Not only will a few chickens provide you with eggs, they can also contribute their waste to your compost heap. What is more, chickens will scratch over and aerate the soil of growing areas, and help to eat slugs, snails, caterpillars and other pests to help keep their numbers down.
Bees
Bees are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystem. They are responsible for pollinating a large number of plants, including many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Without bees, our food system would be severely impacted.
In a garden or polytunnel, bees can help increase the yield of your plants by pollinating them. They are attracted to a variety of plants, including herbs, fruit trees, and flowers. By planting a diverse range of plants, you can attract a variety of bees and other pollinators to your garden.
However, if you’re considering keeping these unique garden pets in your polytunnel, it’s important to do your research and make sure that you have the necessary equipment and knowledge to care for them properly. You may also need to check with your local authorities to make sure that keeping bees is legal in your area.
Do you have garden pets which help you in your gardening efforts? Let us know in the comments below.
Sources
https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/can-rats-harm-dogs-cats/
