Extreme weather bad enough, now my garden is devoured by deer. HELP

Question

Passionate gardener who is at wits end with seasonal changes so unpredictable. I have already posted a question concerning this topic  with disappointing view results.   If you have ideas please answer them there, WE ALL NEED help! But now I feel as though all my efforts are now Food for the deer Thanksgiving, they eat that much. I have tried human hair I have tried stringed soap I have tried pin wheels I even tried bells. These four legged vermin are literally destroying so much labor intensive work , I show up every day and just cry for the first half hour.

Edie · Answer

For the gardener with the problem of seasonal changes maybe they are trying to garden like they did back home and now live in a new growing zone. The right plant in the right place for the area should make a almost maintenance free yard. Almost every county in the country has a Extension Service that is a wealth of accurate information and mostly free. http://npic.orst.edu/pest/countyext.htm To deal with the deer the Extension service may have a list of plants that the deer don't eat. So as you have to replace them you may want to replace with something not as tasty.

Smu1485110 · Answer

A study done in Montana revealed success at deterring deer. Hang strips of white cloth from trees, bushes or fences near your garden. Deer flip their tails up revealing the white fur underneath their tail to warn of danger. When they see the white strips of cloth, they will think danger and stay away. My sister is doing this and it works. Strips only have to be a few inches wide by about 8 to 10' long

Johnchip · Answer

Ah, Pennsylvania, where the deer and the gardener play!  We tired it all, pregnancy pee to the bells and whistles.1. Plant only plants they do not like, see local nursery. 2. My one DuPont neighbor put up a 12' fence around his entire 12 acre property. 3. My bouvier was able to get out at night thru the dog door, only draw back was the occasional venison leg or head she left at  the back  door.

William Moriarty · Answer

steep dried hot pepper in alcohol ,strain add some karo syrup & pour in a sprayer , fill with water & spray plants. Repeat after rain, The syrup helps it stick to the plants. Wear gloves & don't touch eyes.

Marlene Haigh · Answer

Smelly soap like irish spring or zest hung in the garden helped save my garden

Irma · Answer

Get some cheesecloth bags and stuff them with human hair (you can go to a beauty salon to get the hair) and hang them all over your garden.  The deer have a very acute sense of smell and the human hair will keep them away.  Keep in mind that you will need to change these bags weekly.

Elaine · Answer

I tried all the homemade recipes and nothing worked until I found a product on Amazon called Bobbex that really works to deter deer. I've been using it for two years and I have lilies and hostas again! Just remember to reapply every couple weeks!

Patty Smith · Answer

I take dial sops and drill a hole at the top, put some twin thru it and hand it around thes trees, plants etc., been doing this for 30+++ years and I have never had any damage. Good luck!

Bil7401383 · Answer

Only solution is a 10 foot fence

Toddschmidt1616 · Answer

Put up a fence or kill it. Your food is your food.

Phil a · Answer

I had heard this a long time ago and just verified it on Google. DEER DO NOT LIKE EGGS ! Check it out here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Homemade-Deer-Repel... Let us know. Phil

Jeanne Rosato · Answer

I use Milorganite(organic fertilizer) I found it at Lowes & Home Depot I spread it around garden area every couple of weeks,more if you get a lot of rain Works for me!

Russ Ford · Answer

Bow and arrow and a sausage maker.  Deer are nice to see, but they can be scant more than a large antlered rat.  They are very patient and have 24 hours a day to think through a problem.  BEFORE spending YOUR money, call the local office of the Fish and Game, Wildlife Departments in your area.  Call the County Extension Agent.  Call a local nursery.  Consult with farmers in your area.  Call the near by State, National, and County parks.  All of these folks have had to deal with the issue far longer than you, lean on their experience.  Possibly you should avoid PETA if you are considering lethal measures.  Nothing says 'I love you' more than a nice breakfast of whole wheat pancakes, covered in strawberrys, lathered with fresh whipping cream, and a side of deer sausage.  I mean, seriously, who wouldn't?

Trish Hope · Answer

Try Irish Spring Soap.Cut into pieces and hang at entry area.Can also be ground level for rabbits,etc.

Christine · Answer

I use a store bought spray that works well.

Integritygirl · Answer

I have researched this topic well!!! Google the 'Scarecrow' it is a gadget that sprays water when motion sets it off. I have never used it, but plan on getting 2 of them when I move to the farm. It has GREAT reviews with some tweaks, but hands down WORKS!

Florida Beachpotato · Answer

Epson salts with peppermint, throw handfuls every 4 or 5 days. Firecrackers work too.

Tara Souther · Answer

Clean out your hairbrush, put the hair in mesh bags around your garden. Deer smell the hair and think 'humans!'.

1268409614 · Answer

Deer love to eat hostas. Hostas grow very large in size and love the shade. So maybe redirect the deer away sun loving plants. P.S. Deer are not vermin, they are GODS creation!

IFortuna · Answer

Here is a product from Lowe's to repel deer and rabbits. http://www.lowes.com/pd/ORTHO-1-Gallon-Ready-... Here is a Home Depot one: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liquid-Fence-32-oz... Hope this helps. They will probably be able to tell you which one is best for your area and how to use it. : )

MARY KAY POUSA · Answer

we have deer on our property and we gave up having a garden...even put up a fence..they just jumped over it...we LOVE them and put a salt lick out for them in the winter...always have a baby or two in the spring......there is a creek running thru the property and they use it for drinking....my advice is to use the local outdoor veggie markets and let the deer alone....

Shannon · Answer

Spray plants with fine mist of water
Sprinkle cayenne pepper on damp leaves

Kathy · Answer

an organic fertilizer called Milorganite is your answer.  Deer will not go near it.

Marie Newman · Answer

Human PEE is a deterant for most garden eating critters. They smell YOU and usually decide to leave. Just dump your pee along the edges of your garden.

Gama · Answer

The pee idea is just gross. We have a fence around ours & have had NO problem with deer or any vermin except slugs, snails & Japanese beetles  or critters that burrow under ground.  I've also heard of people putting up an electric fence & say that works. Maybe your fence wasn't tall enough.

Deborah Ann Sevigny · Answer

Very high fence works for us. Lots of deer in our yard but not in the garden.

Elaine Marchant · Answer

I have also tried all the usual remedies on the internet without success.  The only thing I have found that works is a fence at lest 8' high or electric (expensive) and this year I used a method suggested by a friend.  I had 20' rebar but into 5' lengths and used as fence posts.  You have to make a double fence with a 3 to 4 foot separation between.  For the fencing I used snow/safety fence.  The cheap stuff.  I bought mine on Amazon 4' high by 100' long for about $32 Cdn.  This worked really well.  The only problem I had with deer was when a bear walked through it and I didn't repair it for a couple of days and the deer found the opening.  As soon as I got it repaired there were no more deer.  I have mule deer in my area and they have no problem going over any ordinary fence under 8' but apparently deer can jump up or across but not both at the same time as their depth perception isn't very good.

Christina Yates · Answer

I heard that lion dung keeps them out but you would need a zoo nearby and a friendly keeper!!

Sheila D · Answer

Search recent hometalk newsletter.  Someone sent in info using shredded Irish Spring soap to deter deer and rabbits

Virginia · Answer

I tried using the Christmas decor called 'Singing Trout' which plays when a
tiny light detects movement...fairly loud and sudden, so the deer are startled
and run away.  Well, they did...this new crop of fawns seems to like it and goes to investigate it with no fear.  Also tried growing a lot of Marigolds
and they don't seem to like those, or the smell, helped till the peas came
on with nice fat pea pods...but if you are not growing peas...still might work.
And a hard working big dog will also work to chase them away.

Extreme weather bad enough, now my garden is devoured by deer. HELP

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Extreme weather bad enough, now my garden is devoured by deer. HELP

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