Deer problem in the vegetable garden
by
Diane
+4
Is there a way to keep Deer from destroying a vegetable garden? My daughter & son-in-law have had to re-do their garden twice. They don't want to hurt the deer or make them sick, just keep them away. Thank you
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Fencing, chemical deterrants and selection of deer resistant plants can help.
This was one of my exam questions. Perhaps these publications might help you. Classes and guest lecturer suggest the “edu sites“ to be the most reliable and often have contact for further information. Hope this helps!
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/ dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/HORT/HORT-62/HORT-62-PDF.pdf
Preventive deterrent by plant/ landscaping choices could offer deer resistance
Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/download.php?strPubID=E271 This publication can offer homeowner comprehensive detailing that might aid in making the right choices before planting. Regional differences in deer species and plants could apply.
Deer a garden pest
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/HORT/HORT-62/HORT-62-PDF.pdf
We ended up putting a 5' fence around ours. Deer are capable of jumping over it, but never have.
In the past I used Ivory soap. Drill a hold and hang it from a tree or on a post about 4 feet above ground. Try 6 to 8 bars they not fond of the smell. Put at each corner and in middle that should help. Also hang aluminum pie pans on bottom of soap.
Other than a protective fence (some rebar or wood stakes and plastic or metal garden fencing could make a temporary fix for the season), a lot of herbs deter deer from gardens. They don't like the scent or taste of them. They could possibly lign the perimeter with fresh herbs.
Use a vegetable peeler on the bar of Irish Spring soap and scatter shavings around plants and bushes. There's a product called Bobbex that works really well if you have something you want to protect though!
I read this from Gma Kirk: A farmer gave me a gross recipe for repellent...but it works. cup or two of urine, tablespoons of crushed garlic, and cayenne pepper, two eggs in a gallon jug, shake well, fill rest of the way with water. Cap and let age a week. Then you drizzle small stream around the perimeter of whatever you want to keep them from eating - works on rabbits too!