we planted ~8 strawberry plants. And when they first started fruiting, the squirrels got the first two. So I put mesh covers over them. But then the bees weren't pollenating them anymore so we just had strawberry flowers, no fruits. So I took the mesh off, and the rabbits/deer ate all the flowers... and the rest of the plants.

Anything can be nearly free with the right knowhow 🤔

Key words, "know-how".

Yeah just use someone else's garden. It's free and already filled with stuff

That sounds like squirrel talk.

It really depends where you live. In the sticks, sure, but not in a city where you live in an apartment with a grand total of one (1) window