Gardening has been associated with better moods and lower stress and anxiety levels. Routines, such as planting, watering, and weeding, can improve mental health.

As with anything else, gardening can also have its cons. One of these is the cute little critters that love to munch on beautiful blooms. Rabbits, voles, deer, chipmunks, and squirrels are adorable but can wreak havoc on a garden.

Try not to get too upset with them. All they’re doing is the same thing humans do. They are seizing the opportunity to survive. The good news is there are simple things you can do to save your garden.

Next time you head to your local garden shop, inquire about garden-safe rodent repellent. There are hundreds of options. For a homemade, eco-friendly, and effective solution, add the following ingredients to your shopping list.

• One whole garlic

• White vinegar

• Distilled water

• One brand new spray bottle

When you get home, rinse the never-before-used spray bottle with warm water. Fill two-thirds of the bottle with distilled water. Next, break apart your garlic into cloves. Mince one of the garlic cloves and put it in the bottle.

Lastly, fill the rest of the bottle with white vinegar. Ignore the smell. Tighten the bottle and shake it vigorously. Generously spray around your flower pots, the border of your garden, the dirt, and the base of your plants/flowers.

Avoid spraying the solution directly on any blooms to attract the right visitors to your garden. Bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are natural gardening aides, and you want them around.

Spray your garden every other day and after any moisture has fallen on your garden, including morning dew. Certain essential oils can also help repel rodents.

• Peppermint

• Cinnamon

• Citronella

You may want to grow plants that naturally repel unwanted creatures in your garden. Some of these include:

• Lavender

• Russian Sage

• Yarrow

• Rosemary

• Lemongrass

• Onions

• Daffodils

Your choices may vary depending on what critter you’re trying to repel. Gardens are fun and make a home feel more beautiful. Whether it’s a flower or vegetable garden, there are ways to protect them and the organic wildlife around them. Happy gardening!