How do I keep deer away?
Just planted a new tree hydrangea. The deer seem to think the new growth is very tasty. What can I spray to keep them away? There's tons of green around here! They don't need my new plants!
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
How can I keep deer away from my dogwood trees?
I have deer issues wanting to eat leaves off my Dog Wood Trees causing growth problems..The man who mows my grass hates to mows around the shrubs in my yard causing g... See more
How to keep deer away from the hosta plants
I have several varieties of hosta plants in my front yard under the trees. This is the first year the deer are coming at night and eating the leaves! It is not c... See more
Liberally zpray with Liquid Fence, which comes as a concentrate. Shake very well, then mix with water, as directed. Shake again, very well.
Apply with a garden sprayer or good quality 32 ounce spray bottle.
Spray on a wind free day when no rain is expected for a few hours.
Cover leaf surfaces thoroughly (top and bottom), as well as branches and surrounding ground area.
Spray weekly, the first month or two, then monthly, thereafter.
Best to spray in evening, as it smells of rotted eggs for a few hours, but really works well, especially on hydrangeas.
The sooner you apply it, the better luck you'll have keeping deer away.
Human hair spread around will keep them away. You can probably get it at a local hair dresser for free.
Irish spring shredded will keep them away.
Liquid Fence as Oliva mentioned, as well.
Human urine keeps deer away :)
Speaking from personal experience, I would say do not waste your money on products or any other schemes that claim to 'deter' deer. I've tried them all. Any odor there is will be short lived, as it will quickly dissipate into the air.
Deer love to eat new flowering plants and have an incredible ability to know where they are and how to get at them.
Only netting will keep the deer from accessing your plants. It is a one-time cost when purchased and is maintenance free in almost all weather conditions.
well, I went out this morning and they have done alot of damage to that poor plant. I think I will try the netting. My neighbor tried the stinky spray, and it worked for a very short time, but the critters were back quickly. Tree hydrangeas are not an inexpensive plant. I have to do something or there won't be any leaves left. they are even breaking the branches off.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions.
Sue
Yep, sounds like normal deer to me.
Netting, or tall fencing are the only solutions that will really work.
Best to do some research before you go out and purchase plants. Learn which are native to your area AND which ones deer do not prefer to eat. I have a pro landscaper's old catalogue, and they rate their plant's 'deer resistance' into 3 categories:
1-rarely want to eat this plant
2-probably will not eat this plant
3-they will eat anything when hungry, including this plant.
So -- buy the most deer resistant plants you can find that are native, or will survive easily in the soil and amount of sun & moisture you have.
Deer tend not to eat things with strong odors, fuzzy leaves, prickly leaves or thorns. That said, when a herd is hungry, all bets are off. There are many lists on the internet you can look up to start your search of plants.
Next thing to try is a deer fence, but imagine a deer stands 12 to 15 hands high (about 4 to 5-feet, to top of it's shoulder), then imagine how much taller that animal is when standing on its' back legs! Yep -- they do that, especially when they find that delectable tree! Where I live, they will jump that 8-foot hurdle -- so 'low' 8-ft fences are not guaranteed -- but you could try a 10-to-12 foot high fence.
Fences are more expensive than plants. I'd go with the proper plants, first.
One last thing - make sure you are blaming the correct varmint -- if the branches or leaves appear torn, it's from deer damage. It the branches (of lower plants) appear cut, that's rabbit damage.
Good luck!