Roo Roulette - How to Keep Your Garden Safe from Sneaky Snacking

G’day, mate! I’ve got a bit of a secret to share with you—yeah, it’s me, your local neighbourhood roo, the one who’s been sneaking around nibbling on your plants. But hey, before you go cursing my name, let me tell you there are plenty of things you can do to stop me in my tracks—and keep your garden looking lush without too much hassle.

First things first, let’s talk about what I won’t touch. Turns out, I’m not a fan of plants that smell like a bushland perfume shop. You know the ones — Eremophila, Prostanthera, Westringia, and Myoporum. Their oily, fragrant leaves? No thanks. I’d rather eat dirt. So, if you fancy keeping me at arm’s length, chuck a few of those in your garden, and I’ll be off nibbling somewhere else. Bonus: they’re dead easy to grow, even for the black-thumbed among you!

Now, let’s talk about spiky plants. Honestly, who in their right mind wants to snack on something that’s more like chewing on a pincushion? Plants like Grevillea juniperina ‘Molonglo’, ‘Clearview David’, and that delightful Holly-leaved fuchsia are like putting a barbed-wire fence around your garden buffet. Trust me, I’m not poking my snout into that mess. So, sprinkle a few spikey characters around the garden, and you’ll find me hopping in the opposite direction.

But of course, there are some plants I just can’t resist. Look, I’m only roo, and Acacias, Saltbush, and Purslane? That’s the good stuff. Juicy, soft, and oh-so-irresistible. It's like someone’s laid out a fancy salad bar, just for me. I’ll pop in for a sneaky snack at dawn or dusk, because hey, I like a peaceful dining experience. You’ll know I’ve been there when you see a few tell-tale bite marks on your prized plants.

So, what’s a gardener to do? Well, besides filling your garden with all the smelly or spiky stuff, you could invest in a decent fence—because let’s face it, nothing says “no entry” quite like a good, solid barrier. I may be cheeky, but I’m not Houdini. And if that’s not your style, you could try some natural deterrents—a bit of garlic spray or vinegar mist, and I’m outta there. You don’t have to go full Fort Knox, just a few well-placed defences will have me rethinking my life choices.

So don’t be put off by the idea of gardening. Even with a hungry roo like me around, you can still have a stunning garden. Pick the right plants, throw in a few tricks, and I’ll find my dinner elsewhere (maybe your neighbour’s garden, but that’s between us).

Happy gardening—and hey, I’ll see you around… or not, if you’ve followed my advice!