Are there other options? I unfortunately don’t have the resources to get all my plants off the ground.
by ParticularToast
Are there other options? I unfortunately don’t have the resources to get all my plants off the ground.
by ParticularToast
39 Comments
It will reduce airflow to the substrate, which will result in the substrate taking longer to dry. Whether or not that’s an issue depends on the type of plant.
No, as long as the cardboard and top soil won’t stay moist enough to mold, it’ll be fine. It’d be best to bottom water to ensure that.
Might wanna weigh the cardboard down, though, so your baby/toddler can’t get underneath.
Let them eat dirt
This won’t hurt the plant, though the soil may stay wet for longer, which could lead to rot or mold on the cardboard if you’re not careful.
But honestly, I don’t think it will cause any of that, especially if you water sparingly and switch out the cardboard once in a while. Good luck!
It should be fine, but be careful with watering—cardboard slows soil drying, and too much moisture can harm the roots. What kind of plant is this?
Maybe use cheese cloth on top so the soil can dry? Idk my mom is currently using foil around one plant because my cat loves to dig into it but I told her to poke some holes so not to get moldy. Maybe put it on a taller stand so the kiddo can’t reach in? Just shooting ideas. Good luck
This is not a response you were asking for, but you may want to get your child’s iron levels checked.
Craving/eating dirt is a form of pica (e.g. eating non-food items) that is very strongly associated with iron deficiency – particularly in kids.
You could use nylon stockings! More breathable and you can water on top of them as usual.
Maybe stab holes so it can get more airflow
Maybe put chili power on the top of the soil so that if he eats it he’ll have a slightly bad time
Other comments are close, but the best answer is window screen material + strong tape. Cut a big rectangle, cut a line from one side/corner into the center for the tree trunk, then put a piece of tape on both sides of that seam to close it up (the tape will stick to itself through the screen material). Then pull the screen over the top edge and tape around the outside, cutting off extra as necessary. Easy peasy, I did it with all of my plants because my toddler wanted to play with the soil.
It may be time to move the plant, depending in the size I would be concerned about baby tipping it over onto themselves or chewing on it. Is this a non-toxic plant?
I’ve gotten stools from ikea, home goods, and goodwill for cheap to use as plant stands to keep my rabbits from eating my plants.
I used to do this to prevent my cat from peeing in the planters
Sounds like pica? Maybe take the kid to the doctor. Covering the soil like that will keep it moist for longer, which may lead to root rot if you aren’t careful.
Ha. I have 5 little kids and as a result almost all my plants hang from the ceiling, wall or on shelves. I can’t wait for the day when I can have an actual FLOOR plant aaaaahhhh
You chose kids over plants :/
Get rid of the kid
Sprinkle some black pepper ontop the soil and the 9 month old will not come back for seconds
Probably better off trying to put carboard around the edge of the pot to raise the wall and act as a blocker instead, or get some cheap plastic sheeting or small garden bed border edgings off amazon for it.
It worked with my german sheperd but tbh i dont know how it’d do with a 9 year old
I’ve done this with my plants to keep my cat out and it works without any side effects to the plant!
Just get the kid their own bowl of dirt
I did this, and it created mold for me. I was trying to keep cats out.
Old pair of 20 Denier tights cover the whole pot allow airflow and watering, had the same problem with my son
If your 9 month old eats dirt they may have a condition called Pica. Pica is usually (not always) a manifestation of an underlying medical condition, usually iron deficiency anemia.
Let your pediatrician know and don’t let them blow you off.
tulle
I use these to keep kittens from playing in the dirt; I cut them to size:
https://www.amazon.com/WBCBEC-Covering-Protectors-Animals-Cuttable/dp/B0F82Q1HNR
And I bought these stakes since I use more than one per plant…and I prefer these vs. the silver ones that came with the mesh things because they’re black so they blend in well:
https://www.amazon.com/FTAKRY-Landscape-Staples-Galvanized-Irrigation/dp/B0DDSWGKTX
Mould
Alternative.. Cayenne pepper in the dirt? It worked with my dog 🤣
Just use chicken wire while making sure the sharp edges are folded down. It won’t reduce airflow and lead to root rot, and is equally effective against pets and 9 month olds.
Your kid might be missing some vitamins. That’s worth looking into
How about just getting a big screen like product, cut a hole in the middle and put it over the substrate? That way there’s air flow and there’s still a barrier.
I suggest a ring of hardware cloth instead.
You can get plant matting made from coconut fibre on amazon. My kid loved throwing the dirt everywhere, the mats stopped it entirely. Still breathable and watering fine
You can use garden fabric too, and cover it with stones or crystals… to still water your plant
My dad used a circle cut out of an old window screen once to keep the cats from digging (and peeing) in a potted plant. Worked really well!
Try something like nylon over the top?
I think the bigger problem here is that your kid is eating dirt, which can be indicative of a medical problem.
You can purchase round grates that snap together. One of my cats loves to do her business in our houseplants, so we have put those grates in a bunch to keep her out.