Is Cinnamon The Secret To Pest-Free Healthy Plants? What You Should Know Before Trying

With so many common things that attract squirrels to your garden, keeping them out can feel like a never-ending fight, but one simple spice can help you win the battle. Cinnamon is a powerful solution to deterring squirrels as well as a benefit to your plants. The strong scent and taste of cinnamon overwhelm a squirrel's sensitive nose and taste buds, making treated areas less appealing to them. Unlike chemical repellents that can end up harming your plants and soil, cinnamon offers some surprising advantages. Its properties help prevent rotting in seedlings, and when sprinkled around existing plants, it can suppress common fungal pathogens like mold.

There are many reasons why cinnamon should be used in your garden already, but to use it effectively against squirrels, you should target areas where they will most likely be active. A perimeter dusting around bulb plants will deter squirrels from attempting to dig them up, and a light sprinkle on your soil discourages them from burying food. For easy, ready-to-use protection on plants that squirrels love, like tomatoes or berries, mix cinnamon oil with water and a few drops of peppermint oil to create a sprayable repellent that can be used whenever needed. The spice is safe for pollinators and will not mess up edible crops, making it perfect for organic gardeners.

While you could simply spread cinnamon all around your garden, using it properly will make sure there are no unintended consequences. Avoid dumping large amounts directly onto plant leaves as the oils in cinnamon can cause temporary wilting in sensitive plants. For seed starting, mix a pinch of cinnamon into potting soil to help protect vulnerable sprouts. If you already have a well-established garden, you can combine the cinnamon with coffee grounds for a more powerful squirrel deterrent. The coffee ground mixture can also add much-needed nitrogen to your soil as it decomposes.

Timing matters as well. If you add the cinnamon in the early morning, dew can help the powder adhere to the surface. If it is a little windy, give your garden a light mist before applying to prevent the powder from blowing away. Cinnamon may not be the perfect cure for squirrels during peak foraging seasons, but using it alongside other popular methods should help keep squirrels out of your garden for good.