Gardening and Animals

1900

Deer in Garden

First, you need to learn to recognize deer damage. They often take a bite or two off of each plant and then move on. They are especially fond of roses, fruit trees and vegetables (particularly corn). As they browse, they tear at the plants, leaving them with a distinctive jagged appearance. Frequently the damage is too high off the ground for it to have been caused by rabbits or other rodents. Deer pellets or tracks are likely to be found in the area as well. Next, deer are creatures of habit and it is much harder to discourage deer when they already consider an area their feeding ground.

Homemade repellents can be made but these concoctions will have to be reapplied frequently, particularly during rainy weather.

• Blend 2 eggs with 1 quart of water. Add to 2 gallons of water and spray on the plants that the deer are eating (avoid blossoms)
• A single strand of monofilament fish line strung across a deer path creates an invisible force that can confuse the creatures enough to detour them around your garden.
• Another homemade remedy to try is human or pet hair
  hung in mesh bags around vulnerable plants. Deodorant soap (especially Dial) hung from susceptible plants or branches has also been used with some success. DO NOT use soap with cocoa butter in it, since this may actually attract deer.
• Fabric row covers supported with hoops can protect
  vegetable beds. "Invisible" mesh netting can be erected over ornamentals to allow viewing but not chewing.
• Sprinkle some cayenne pepper around the garden bed's perimeter.
• Sprinkle horse patties around the perimeter of your garden.

In general, deer tend to pass up plants with the following characteristics: fuzzy foliage, ferns, ornamental grasses, and other plants with tiny, dense hairs are hard for deer to swallow. Plants with these flavors turn deer off: lemon, mint, sage, bitter, and pungent (hot and spicy).

There are many plantings for deer-infested areas you could also consider that deer find less enticing. Shrubs and trees aside, some of the perennials you could try are: Alyssum, Wormwood, Ginger, Lily of the Valley, Lavender, Forget Me Not, Peony, Poppy, Black-Eyed Susan, Thyme, Myrtle, Periwinkle, Baby's Breath, Bachelor Buttons, Delphinium, and Ferns.

One lady reports that a ten foot high fence around the flowers works well. Deer can jump an 8' fence. They had tried trimed human hair, silver pans, artificial owls, goat urine,etc but nothing but the fence worked.

Mostly I get told: a good shotgun.