Caging Tulips (Hardware Cloth) To Stop Critter Raids
Caging Tulips with Hardware Cloth: Protecting Your Coastal Garden from Critter Raids
For many Seacoast gardeners, tulips are the crown jewels of spring, brilliant bursts of color that light up the garden after a long New Hampshire winter. Unfortunately, deer, voles, squirrels, and chipmunks often see them the same way. In coastal towns like Portsmouth, Rye, and Hampton, where wildlife and gardens overlap, tulip raids can be an annual frustration. The good news is that there’s a simple, long-lasting solution: hardware cloth cages.
Why Tulips Need Extra Protection
Unlike daffodils or alliums, which contain bitter compounds that deter animals, tulip bulbs are sweet and starchy, an irresistible food source for critters preparing for winter. Voles tunnel underground and chew through bulbs, while squirrels dig them up shortly after planting. Deer add to the problem by nibbling fresh foliage and buds in spring.
The coastal climate adds another layer of challenge. Sandy soils in Zone 6b are easy for animals to dig through, and mild autumns give them plenty of time to forage before frost. Without protection, freshly planted tulip bulbs rarely stand a chance.
The Hardware Cloth Solution
Hardware cloth is a galvanized metal mesh, similar to chicken wire but with smaller openings that even voles can’t squeeze through. Creating a simple cage from this material is one of the most reliable ways to safeguard your bulbs.
To make a cage, cut a piece of ½-inch hardware cloth large enough to line your planting area. Form the sides and bottom into a shallow box about six inches deep. Place your tulip bulbs inside, root-end down, and cover them with soil. You can then lay another piece of mesh flat over the top before finishing with soil and mulch. The bulbs will grow easily through the gaps, but pests won’t be able to dig in.
Building and Installing a Bulb Cage
For a small bed or border, pre-made wire baskets or bulb cages are convenient, but for larger gardens, making your own allows for flexibility. Here’s a simple method that works well in Seacoast soils:
Measure the planting area and cut hardware cloth accordingly. Wear gloves—the edges can be sharp.
Bend the sides to form a bottom and low walls, like a tray.
Dig your trench about six to eight inches deep, allowing room for the cage plus a layer of soil beneath.
Set the cage in place and add two inches of soil.
Arrange tulip bulbs inside, spacing them about four to six inches apart.
Cover with soil and place another flat sheet of hardware cloth over the top if squirrels are a problem.
Finish with mulch or compost to blend the area naturally into your garden.
Choosing Materials for Coastal Durability
Because Seacoast gardens are exposed to salt air and humidity, choose galvanized or stainless-steel hardware cloth that resists corrosion. Avoid thin chicken wire—it rusts quickly and the openings are too wide to stop voles. A heavier gauge mesh will last for years, offering reliable protection season after season.
For raised beds or containers, line the bottom with mesh before adding soil. This prevents voles and moles from tunneling up from below—a common issue in gardens near fields or wooded edges.
Design Tips: Combining Tulips with Resistant Companions
Even with protection, planting tulips among deer- and vole-resistant bulbs helps reduce temptation. Daffodils, alliums, and fritillarias naturally repel many pests and make ideal companions for tulips. Mixing these bulbs in drifts creates a layered, natural look that suits the relaxed coastal landscape.
In areas with heavy deer pressure, consider planting tulips closer to your home or within fenced garden sections. Combining hardware cloth protection underground with strategic placement aboveground offers the best defense.
Soil and Climate Considerations for the Seacoast
In the sandy, quick-draining soils typical of coastal New Hampshire, tulips appreciate a little extra compost or loam for stability and moisture retention. The ideal planting window is mid-October through early November—after the soil cools but before it freezes. This allows roots to form without triggering early sprouting.
Because Seacoast winters can bring cycles of freezing and thawing, mulch the area once the soil freezes to prevent frost heaving. Avoid heavy bark mulches that stay wet; instead, use shredded leaves or straw, which insulate without smothering new growth.
Seacoast Conditions
Coastal conditions can be harsh, but tulips can thrive when planted thoughtfully. With protective hardware cloth, improved soil structure, and careful siting, your spring display can return year after year. The key is balancing practical protection with natural beauty—something every successful Seacoast garden manages well.
Trust the Local Experts
At Seacoast Gardener, we help homeowners across Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton, and Exeter protect their gardens from seasonal challenges like wildlife damage and salt exposure. Our fine-gardening services include bulb planting, pruning, mulching, and landscape maintenance tailored to the coastal Zone 6b environment.
If you’re ready to enjoy tulips without worry, reach out to Seacoast Gardener for expert planting and maintenance services. Together, we’ll help your garden bloom beautifully and thrive year after year.
For professional pruning, shrub care, and ornamental tree services, contact Expert Pruning—the specialists serving the Seacoast of New Hampshire and Southern Maine.
Contact Information:
Seacoast Gardener — (603) 996-3867
Expert Pruning — (603) 812-2896