Just as Frank mentioned, I’ve been slightly startled when I’m outside, because the sound of those aluminum pie plates clanging away on the posts. I’m hoping that the local deer will be similarly startled, at least enough to turn around and go munch on the neighbor’s trees instead of mine (just joking, guys!). It sticks to plants and the deer don’t like the smell.
It was a smallish garden in Southern Arizona and the rabbits went shopping elsewhere. I’ve tried the is more than once and eventually a hungry deer will break the line and March right in. At this point, the bucks also need all the food they can eat to rebuild muscle and form antlers. The does are about to fawn and have to eat all they can as they enter the third trimester and prepare for nursing. In cool months, you can use heavier weight row cover, which also provides temperature protection. In the summer, you can use lightweight or “summer weight” fabric which also provides protection from pest insects.
Tips to Keep Deer Out of the Garden
Lastly, deer are less likely to jump into your yard if they can’t see what’s on the other side. Solid and double fences that restrict their view may deter the deer, and don’t need to be quite as tall. If you don’t have the means to install a new fence, plant trees or large shrubs along your fence to obscure the landing area. I spray Bobbex around outside the fence and all the goodies inside the fence.
Up until now, they didn’t have much to eat, but now that the garden is more mature, they have more options. A hardy perennial that is known to grow up to five feet tall. Sage is best known as a particularly potent poultry seasoning and is great for cooking both fresh and dried. A classic kitchen herb that is all the better for being picked fresh from the garden.
If the deer are hungry , they could jump over a shorter fence. Nothing is more frustrating than putting all your effort into growing plants in your garden, only for a deer to eat them in one fell swoop. Like many animals who are prey, deer have a keen sense of smell.
Homemade deer repellents are also inappropriate for situations in which any damage is to be avoided. We have a large deer population in our neighborhood as well. We have tried the fishing line approach for the past 2 summers with our straw bale garden. We used bamboo stakes that are at least 5 feet long, and we put them in the ground around the outside of the garden about 3 feet away from the bales.
How to Protect Your Trees and Plants from Deer
Remove the soil that’s in the PVC pipe and put your final post into the pipe. Put the final post either in or out of the pipe when you need to close or open the gate. Deer aren’t avid climbers so adding terraces or sunken beds can discourage them from coming into the yard. If your property is particularly woodsy and sprawling, consider stacking pallets around your property, which deer are afraid to walk or jump on.
Use a lot of homespun repellents to keep deer guessing
Fishing line can be used as a simple and visually unobtrusive way to deter deer from entering a garden area. String high-test (30 lb. +) monofilament fishing line tightly around a garden bed at least two feet beyond the outside edge and 36 inches above the ground. Deer encounter the fishing line in the dark making them feel uncomfortable and then avoid the area. This method works on a short-term basis and for areas that have low deer density. It is not effective for areas that see daytime feeding where deer would be able to see the fishing line. One odd but effective way to keep deer out of your vegetable gardens and flower beds is to leave hair clippings scattered across the soil.
Bonny Fryer has always been interested in animals, even since she was born. This interest led her to get a degree in Veterinary Medicine and start working as a veterinarian when she was only 22 years old. She is now 44 years old and still works as a veterinarian. She loves her job and finds it very fulfilling to help animals stay healthy and happy.