Gardeners urged to plant forks by their flowers

The plastic fork hack has gone viral on social media (Image: Getty)

Got any plastic forks lying around from your last summer picnic?

It may seem odd, but forks could be the unexpected solution to your garden problems.

Pests can often wreak havoc on your favourite plants—from squirrels and cats, to rabbits, and badgers, they all have a talent for nibbling on shrubs, vegetables, and saplings.

Diana Cox, gardening expert at The Gardening Talk, said: "The fork prongs irritate critters and establish an environment they prefer to avoid. The technique functions as a physical barrier, rendering the ground uncomfortable for pests to traverse."

The plastic fork hack involves inserting forks into the soil with the prongs facing upwards which will make it more difficult and uncomfortable for these animals to crawl onto your beloved plants and crops.

The hack involves inserting forks into the soil with the prongs facing up (Image: Getty)

A TikTok user, growithjessie, also posted the affordable hack in her video which now has more than 10.7K views.

In the video, she says that the fork will act as a natural pest remover as the animal will be deterred by the sharp edges of the fork.

The forks can also reflect light, which could make plants less appealing to certain pests.

At just £1 for a pack of 60 forks at Poundland, this hack can prove to be a simple and cost-effective solution using items you likely already have in your kitchen.

Be sure to space the forks about four to six inches apart, close enough to form a barrier but not so tight that they interfere with your plants’ growth.

However, while this technique can work well for animals like raccoons, caterpillars, and beetles, it’s less effective against smaller pests like aphids or mites.

Additionally, plastic forks alone aren't a sustainable pest control solution and should be used in conjunction with other organic methods for better results.