A beautiful landscape doesn't just attract compliments—it also attracts wildlife. In North Florida and South Georgia, it's common to share your yard with everything from rabbits and squirrels to deer, birds, and armadillos. While these visitors are part of living in our region, they can sometimes leave behind damaged plants, scattered mulch, or holes throughout the yard.
The good news is you don't have to choose between enjoying your landscape and dealing with constant critter damage. With thoughtful plant selection, healthy landscape practices, and a few simple deterrents, you can discourage unwanted visitors while creating an outdoor space that thrives.
Know the Signs
Most homeowners first notice critter activity when something suddenly looks different. Flowers may disappear overnight, leaves develop bite marks, mulch gets tossed around, or fresh holes appear in the lawn or landscape beds. While different animals leave different clues, identifying the exact culprit isn't always the most important step. In many cases, the best solution is strengthening your landscape so it can better withstand occasional visits.
A Healthy Landscape Is Your Best Defense
Healthy plants recover more quickly from minor browsing and environmental stress. Paying attention to proper watering, sunlight, mulch, soil quality, and seasonal fertilization all contribute to stronger root systems and healthier growth.
Every landscape is different, and every plant has its own needs. If you're unsure where to start, our plant care resources and horticulture team are always available to help you choose the right plants and keep them growing strong.
Choose Plants Wisely
No plant is completely critter-proof, but some are naturally browsed less often than others. Plants with fragrant foliage, coarse textures, or tougher leaves are generally less appealing than tender new growth, especially once they're well established.
To make planning easier, Liberty is adding critter-resistant filters to our online store, making it easier to browse plants that are generally more resistant to browsing by common wildlife. Pairing the right plants with the right location can make a noticeable difference over time.
Simple Ways to Discourage Critters
When wildlife becomes a little too comfortable, a few small changes can often make a big impact. Temporary fencing around newly planted beds, tree guards for young trees, or protective netting can give new plants time to establish. Safe commercial repellents made with ingredients like garlic, peppermint, rosemary, clove oil, or putrescent egg solids can also help discourage browsing when used according to the manufacturer's directions.
Simple landscape maintenance helps, too. Keeping beds tidy, cleaning up fallen fruit, and replacing disturbed mulch can make your yard less inviting while still respecting the natural ecosystem around it.
Finding the Right Balance
Wildlife is simply part of landscaping in North Florida and South Georgia. While an occasional visit is almost inevitable, a thoughtfully designed and well-maintained landscape is often better equipped to handle it. The goal isn't to eliminate every critter that wanders through your yard—it's to create a landscape that stays beautiful while minimizing unnecessary damage.
We're Here to Help
If you're noticing signs of wildlife in your landscape, stop by one of Liberty Landscape Supply's four retail locations. Our horticulture team can help identify common issues, recommend products, and point you toward plants that are better suited for your property. Whether you're refreshing an existing landscape or starting from scratch, we're here to help make landscape projects easy.
Liberty Landscape Supply is Northeast Florida's full-service garden center and landscape partner with four retail locations serving Jacksonville (North Main Street and San Jose Boulevard), Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine, plus delivery across the region. From plants, trees, sod, soil, mulch, rock, and gravel to hardscapes, pottery, lighting, irrigation, design support, and expert advice, Liberty helps homeowners and professionals plan, shop, and install with confidence, making landscape projects easy.
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Veda Broderick
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Veda@libertylandscapesupply.com
To learn more, visit www.libertylandscapesupply.com
