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Monday, August 17, 2009

Has Your Garden Become a Buffet?


Today's post is about keeping the Deer out of our Gardens. I have had a bunch of comments and conversations about Deer eating the beloved flowers and shrubs in your gardens. As a city gardener, I don't face this issue...but I know several of you have deer...and a few friends in this area that are acreage gardeners are frustrated because deer are devouring expensive landscaping, and they are not willing to install a deer fence.
Now I love Deer...I think they are gentle and beautiful creatures, but I am sure this opinion would change if I had to deal with them making gourmet snacks out of my hard work!
I have put together another list of a few things that I have heard are not yummy to the creatures...although...if they are hungry enough they will eat pretty much anything! For another list that I posted last year...click here to go to that post.
When Deer are an issue in your garden, put daylilies, roses, hostas, tulips, and lilies out of your mind (unless you're prepared to put them in containers close to the house, where they can be protected).
Deer have very sensitive noses and are irritated by strong odors. This fact makes most herbs — (including butterfly bushes, lavender, yarrows, salvias, boxwoods, and thymes) deer-safe. Deer also do not like to nibble on ferns and ornamental grasses, or daffodils, hellebores, and aconitums.
I have heard that they also do not like Marigolds...as the smell turns them off. An old farmer I once knew used to say that male urine all around the perimeter of your garden will keep deer from snacking on the plants....but who wants to allow the men in the family to go around peeing in the garden??? ( it is also known to be an effective fertilizer...female urine...not so good...to much ammonia) Kinda thinking this might be too gross for me...lol But any kind of human scent is supposed to turn them away...again there is NO guarantee that these plants or anything will ward off the deer...many of these creatures are starving and when one gets hungry enough...well you get the picture....
At any rate...here is the list.
1.Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii 'Purple Emperor').
2. Butterfly bush (Bddleja dvidii 'Peacock').
3. Milky bellflower (Campanula lactiflora 'Loddon Anna').
4. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Razzmatazz').
5. Anise hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune').
6. Purple maiden grass (Miscanthus 'Purpurascens').
7. Yarrow (Achillea 'Moonshine').
8. Hybrid cranesbill (Geranium 'Jolly Bee').
9. Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens 'Saphirsprundel').
10. Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Creme Brulee').
11. Perennial sage (Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night').
12. Germander (Teucrium hyrcanicum 'Paradise Delight').
I found this list in an email that I received from a garden forum that I belong to. I thought maybe it would be a good thing to share. The plants in this list are good for a sunny garden in zones 5-8....(I am zone 3 so this does me no good...lol)
I did a post a while ago that has a few more suggestions in it...click here to get to that post. It has about 12 more suggestions to keep the critters out of your gardens! And Photos!
good luck with the deer!

21 comments:

"Blossom" said...

I can tell you about our deer.
We almost lost our tree on the corner of the house because of them. I had also heard about deer away and male urine. We are going to put a deer fence around this tree this fall before winter. The tree was way too expensive to replace. So once it's gone I can't get a replacement. Great post Tootsie.

Cathy S. said...

Great post Tootsie, my area does not have deer problems but I would be glad to have them instead of skunks, we have so many that you can't walk your dogs in our own neighborhood.

-Cathy

Anonymous said...

No deer here,but how about some plants to keep snakes out of my garden? Those black racers that are 5 ft long give me the heebie jeebies. They are not dangerous but I almost stepped on one in my bare feet last night. Oh well, they keep the rodent population away, and we would probably be overrun in lizards without them. I don't have to have my husband pee anywhere outside, but he probably does anyway.
XOSue

trash talk said...

Of course there are a few on the list that while deer won't eat...rabbits will!
If I were to tell Cat Daddy to go outside and take care of the perimeter of our propery...well, he would be out there for days!
Debbie

Randy said...

Well, deer aren’t a problem for us but I’m certain a lot of readers will benefit from this.--Randy

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

We are lucky that we don't have deer in our garden either. To me they are pretty and sweet, but like you I'm sure my opinion would change if they were eating my garden.

Chris said...

We definitely have deer in our yard every day. My solution has been to let things be very natural, except in the beds right next to the house. So far, so good!

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm going to give some a try.

squawmama said...

Good Morning Tootsie... Very interesting article you did today... I am sending it to my cousin since they often battle deer in their gardens. They love the deer and do feed them but they don't want them eating their veggies & such. Thanks again!

Have Fun
Donna

MissyM said...

We live in town with a fenced in back yard, so no deer for us. I have heard others describe how deer have munched their plants.

imjacobsmom said...

Hi Tootsie, I am not having issues with deer this year, it's the darn bunnies. This morning I walked out to see the coneflowers sheared off about 8" from the ground. Dag nabbit! ~ Robyn

Dirt Princess said...

My suggestion involves gun powder...and if you don't do guns, then try a bow and arrow!

Darla said...

I can't believe that we don't have an issue with deer or rabbits where we live. Good information Tootsie!!

artis1111 said...

I had a friend that had a lake house ,and the deer were eating the deck. I hate it when they get hit by a car. They are so beautiful. LOL Kathy

Salmagundi said...

No deer in our yard, but I know of people in our area that do. I'll share your information. Thanks. Sally

trailrider731 said...

hay hay, and thanx for the tips, its about time for me to blockade my fav Magnolia tree that was a gift (very sentimental) from the deer scraping antlers in the area. I barely saved it last year once they decided it was just the right size!
I hung bells, spinning flamingos and all sorts of tinkling things from it after it was attacked.
lynn

Erin said...

We do have deer coming into our neighborhood but we're at the end of the cul de sac and have two dogs that I think deter them...when the neighbors ask if the deer have been a problem I smile and say, "No, I think they get their fill at your house!"...I'm only joking, but it gives them a chance to really grumble and everyone a chance to chuckle. So far, so good!

Blue Creek Home said...

Yes, Yes, Yes, my garden is a buffet. Well, not really because I refused to plant anything this year except in pots in our gated courtyard. I am so glad you posted this. Thanks! Rhonda

pammiejo said...

We have deer in our yard daily. I have found that they do eat almost anything (roses too)- just looked out to see one dashing across the back. They don't eat marigolds, coneflowers, coreopsis and they leave my daylilies alone. They love Asiatic lilies. Haven't found a deterrant yet that's effective except fencing. I've considered the husband branding his territory (seriously)! PAM

The JR said...

The deer have won this year. Eaten most of the pears, all of the apples and no telling what else.

Ramona

delighted heart said...

I've put human hair clippings that i got from my hair stylist around my plants and that's helping...the human scent. But my husband has been waiting for me to tell him to "mark" the garden...the deer loved my morning glories and portulaca! Thanks for the plant suggestions...add lantana to your list. They don't like it either.
Patti

Anonymous said...

Here's a foolproof idea dont you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5D3GKlTkpY