Question: How can I prevent the birds from pecking holes in my tomatoes as they ripen?

Answer: For one thing, you can harvest the fruit just as it starts to turn red. The birds aren’t quite as attracted to green fruit, so this can prevent their damage. The fruit will ripen with no loss of flavor or nutritional value. You can also drape bird netting (available at garden centers and hardware stores) over the tops of the plants to prevent the birds from getting to the fruit. Some folks even use red glass Christmas tree ornaments as substitute fruit. The birds peck them and are annoyed by the results. If you start early enough in the season, you may be able to change their feeding habits before the fruit starts to ripen.