Josie Lewis: Protect your bulbs with squirrel-proof pot toppers - Episode 289 - grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

If grey squirrels have ever stripped your pots overnight or raided a carefully planted bulb lasagne, there are ways to protect your perfectly composed pots.

Sarah is joined by Josie Lewis this week to share what’s actually worked at Perch Hill after years of trials – from cleverly laid thorny rose prunings to beautiful pot toppers that protect bulbs and earn their keep.

In this episode, discover:

How Sarah and Josie protect freshly planted bulbs from grey squirrels and other pests without relying on ugly or ineffective solutions
Exactly how to use thorny stems as a simple, physical barrier over pots through autumn and winter
Which ornamental plants make the best pot toppers over bulbs, and where each works best
How to use edible pot toppers such as hardy lettuces and salad leaves to both shield bulbs and provide generous harvests before tulips emerge

Products mentioned:

Ammi visnaga: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-visnaga

Ammi majus: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/ammi-majus

Heuchera ‘Black Taffeta’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/heuchera-black-taffeta

Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/erysimum-bowless-mauve

Wallflower ‘Sugar Rush Purple’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/wallflower-sugar-rush-purple-bicolour-f1

Cerinthe (Honeywort): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-purpurascens

Cerinthe 'Kiwi Blue': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/cerinthe-major-kiwi-blue

Mizuna ‘Red Knight’: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mizuna-red-knight-f1

Salad Rocket: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/salad-rocket-serrata

‘Red Frills’ Mustard: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/mustard-red-frills

Sea Holly (Eryngium): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/eryngium-x-zabelii-big-blue