Squirrels are NOT deterred by marigolds. They will not eat them, but they will hop through them to get to what they want to eat. Whoever writes that misleading crap has never gardened where there are lots of squirrels.

Barriers: bird netting for the trees and wire mesh for the strrawberries is more likely to be successful/.

Below is the quote and source of the original place I read about them deterring squirrels.

Marigolds as Repellants

Specific varieties of marigolds are reported to repel destructive pests like nematodes and Mexican bean beetles, but marigolds alone should never be relied upon to protect gardens from pests. Some of the most fragrant marigolds deter deer and rabbits, but only if they have other suitable forage. Birds, on the other hand, do not have as well developed olfactory organs and are not often discouraged by even heavily scented marigolds; grackles are especially bad about picking them apart. Since marigolds are attractive hosts for tasty snacks like caterpillars, a range of animals may temporarily overcome their dislike for these flowers.

Source:http://homeguides.sfgate.com/keeps-animals-away-marigold-plants-33145.html

I"m a bit confused. Squirrels are not mentioned in that paragraph you quoted, and unless I'm missing something, the only place the article mentions them is to say that squirrels will not be deterred by a fence. In fact, most of the article is about how marigolds are NOT effective at keeping critters out of the garden (except perhaps bugs).

I heard it's supposed to be "french" marigolds to keep away bugs. Not sure if those are available at Home Depot. But bird netting is -- I would try that! Or maybe that flash tape or hanging old CDs in the cherry tree.

Please try the bird netting! I watched a squirrel eat my blue berries. My neighbor has a gigantic fig tree and they eat all of her figs.

Some non hybrid Marigolds have a strong scent that might deter some animals, such as squirrels, from a garden just as those non hybrid Marigolds can put into the soil a deterrent that can aid in control of some nematodes. But note the some non hybrid because not just any Marigold will do that. Most hybrids have had what is the deterrent bred out.

Squirrels can, and will, climb fences and often do not pay much attention to most any other deterrents we might use. Most of us have found that very tight cages are necessary to keep those buggers off the plants. Birds can be deterred by netting, although some have noted that the birds can get caught in the mesh of those nets.

kimmq is kimmsr

Sorry, I read it somewhere on my phone and can't find it anymore. I might try bird netting next year. My neighbor has taken down a fruit bearing tree and is doing construction. That might help scare off and give the squirrels less reason to come this year

I don’t think there’s anything that”stops the squirrels from coming” They’re just very destructive rodents. i use to think they were neat to see when I was younger but I lived in a beach area community so they were sorta rare. Now that I live in mountain foothills I feel like I should be giving them names and they wouldn’t be nice cute ones. I haven’t been able to grow anything but cactus and lavender. There’s farms all over up here and they successfully grow great stuff but I think it’s their secret