Deer in Garden

[Beestingz]

I have good luck using electric fence that is only 5 feet high. I use half inch rerod for posts and plastic insulators purchased from Agway. I got the info from I believe Univ of PA website a few years back. Alum wire with posts spaced about 20 feet (or more) apart. The wire is not real tight but not a lot of sag either. Top strand is at 5 foot and bottom strand is 4 inches off the ground, next strand is about 8 or 10 inches above that. The rest somewhat equal space to the top. Keep the grass short with the weekwacker a few times a season. There are plenty of deer up here in Maine but not in my garden. Here is a link although not from Univ of PA but might be informative just the same.

http://www.umaine.edu/umext/pasture/Les ... azing3.pdf

[Arizona Mike]

Plant rosemary bushes around the perimeter. The deer will not eat or go near it. They don't like the fragrant smell.

[1stCub]

There is a product called Liquid Fence that works pretty good. You can find it at most garden shops.

[magnumpi]

Just heard several more over this weekend. There's a master gardener named Ron Wilson from Cincinnati who has a nationally syndicated radio show I listen to each Sat morning and yesterday someone asked about deer problems. His response was to use a fertilizer named Milorganite on the garden as they don't like the smell. I remember my Father using it so it's an old-time product. The other idea was to steep a tea in a large jar set in the sun. The brew would consist of chopped up chili peppers and water. After sitting in the hot sun for several days, strain out the peppers and spray the "tea" on your plants !! Worth a try. Craig

[Don McCombs]

Milorganite is dried sewage sludge from the Milwaukee sewage treatment plants, packaged and sold commercially.

[magnumpi]

I know Don, ain't it great ??? Perhaps one might look at our state motto of America's Dairyland differently !! A friend of mine used to design muni sewage treatment plants - his motto was "it may be s**t to you, but it's my bread and butter" !! hehehe Craig

[Arizona Mike]

hey Craig, did you know Mert Timmerman, dairy farmer, up in Roberts, WI ?

[magnumpi]

Mike: It truly is a small world !! Roberts is about 5 miles due North of my property and I'm there at least 4-5 days/week ! I've seen the name but don't know him personally. Craig

[SONNY]

The ONLY thing I've found to work is ole' 12 ga. and lead balls!!!----A real challenge in the dark, because they only come during the night here, --Wish they would come during business hours, but what fun would that be!! thanks; sonny

[Arizona Mike]

SONNY, You have to be kidding

Right ?

[flag]

Yeppers, the electric fence has cured my problem for over 5 years now.
I used to use the wire but I use the string type electric fence wire from TSC. It is easier to handle and light weight, no sags on long pulls with fewer posts. My fence is 6' high and with 4 strands of string put on a timer starting at dark 30 to daylight. Florida deer is not as big as those in the northern states so it may have to be 8' high.

[Uncle Mike]

My wife went through the computer software CD's we had hanging around, and tied a fish line on poles across the garden and hung the CDs from this with more fish line. No deer for a month. Will see how long it lasts.

[Trent M]

I've also heard Ivory soap shavings will keep 'em away. They don't like any fragrant stuff. Never tried it though. I bet the "pepper tea" works, too. Doesn't sound very appetizing. Probably have to do it over and over after each rain.

Trent

[dpty234b]

Get some 10# clear monofilament fishing line place around and through the garden > The deer can't see it but know that there is somrthing there and it will scare them if thier noses touch it. It works great and you won't have to shock them with an electric jolt or a jolt from a lead projectile esp. if you miss neighbors may be a little upset.

[flag]

Sonny

The ONLY thing I've found to work is ole' 12 ga. and lead balls!!!----A real challenge in the dark, because they only come during the night here, --Wish they would come during business hours, but what fun would that be!! thanks; sonny

Have you noticed the heavy smoke cloud after the trigger is pulled....only seen at night with a light . During daylight hours it is not seen
I got my spring garden wiped out in one night, the deer walk right down the middle of each - (15) rows and straight as an arrow and only nubs were left.
I was so furious that I took action that night with revenge in hand.
Then the electric fence went up next planting and no more problems since.

This happened the first year that I moved to the country life as I had much to learn, kind like the old TV series "Green Acres" . hehehe