Gardener shocked to find egg in flower bed but there's a simple explanation

It's not everyday you find a rogue egg sitting in your plant pot, but for one gardener the peculiar discovery was made twice.

is one of those amazing platforms which allows users to post in specific groups seeking advice, and a recent photo shared in has sent users into a frenzy. The group, boasting over 800,000 members, is a popular place where enthusiasts share their latest projects and exchange advice.

One user made a post on April 29, which included an image of an egg in a . It was captioned: “This is the 2nd time I’ve found an egg buried in a plant pot? On two separate occasions, one in the front garden and this one today in the side garden?”

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The user explains that they’ve never seen this before, while asking other members if this has happened to them. Many green-fingered enthusiasts rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on what it could be.

The explanation, however, was more straightforward than it seemed, with many members echoing the same sentiment. “It’s foxes storing for later”, someone commented, while another added, “Foxes will do this to save for later.”

It turns out that foxes are known to bury eggs, particularly in protected areas such as gardens or plant pots. They do this as a way to store food, catching eggs they have found and storing them to eat later.

Spring is nesting season for many birds in the UK, so it’s more common to find fallen eggs on your garden floor. These fallen eggs provide an excellent food source for foxes. Foxes are opportunistic hunters and will bury surplus food, such as eggs, for future use. So, if you're finding eggs in strange spots this spring, never fear, it’s just the local skulk.

However, if you’d prefer to eliminate foxes from your outdoor space, there are a few simple tricks you can use to deter them. These animals are known for foraging and possess a very strong sense of smell.

Consequently, certain smells, particularly those of citrus fruits, can be repulsive to these furry critters. The peels, in particular, can be highly unpleasant to foxes, often causing them to avoid areas where these scents are present. Therefore, to scatter the remains of citrus peels from lemons, limes, and oranges throughout the garden.

Alternatively, foxes are also known to loathe the smell of garlic, chilli powder, and even coffee grounds, making them practical and chemical-free deterrents in gardens. So, if you start to see a rise in eggs being sporadically found in your garden this spring, try sprinkling some citrus around; you’ll be surprised at just how fast these animals disappear.