If you'd like to protect your vegetable garden from birds, there is one festive alternative to netting that actually works: Raid your Christmas ornaments. Hanging up ball ornaments on plants like tomatoes and cherry trees can fake birds out. Birds will see the ornaments (use the indestructible plastic-looking ones, not the delicate glass ones) and peck at them, then fly away when they realize they're not food. It may not be 100 percent foolproof, but it's one small measure to help stay a step ahead.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION