The Ever Increasing Deer Population

All across the United States the increasing deer population causes more problems for the gardener than difficulties like drought, insects, poor soil or diseases. They are burdensome for many reasons. They eat all kinds of plants and they have insatiable appetites. Most garden problems are seasonal but deer stick around 24/7/365.

The most effective way to keep the deer at bay is by fencing. A good fence will be tall and perhaps even electrified. If this is too costly, plastic mesh fencing is widely available to be used as an alternative,but much less effective.

Less attractive than plastic meshing would be to surround your plants with chicken wire. I know...we'll move on to other approaches.

Another deterrent would be to use motion detector sensors that trigger spotlights at night and sprinklers during the day.

A medium to large breed dog running free or confined with a bordered electric fence can frighten deer but may not even be enough. Even the dog has to sleep. But let's look at some repellents.

Results from repellents that are offensively smelling or tasting to deer vary regionally. But just like you and I might become accustomed to the noise of a nearby train track the deer become adjusted the same way. If they are hungry enough they will still eat. Another downside to this type of repellent is the repetition required. New growth from plants that need to be sprayed and the washing away of the repellent from rain or other precipitation makes it a continuous battle.

Human hair has worked very well for some. Ask your local barber or beautician for a bag of hair. They may want you to sweep the floor for it but it's a cheap and effective deterrent, for garden's sake.

Blood meal has been an effective repellent for some and The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension recommends Milorganite ® fertilizer, derived from Milwaukee Organic Nitrogen. This product is often used for soil amendment purposes rather than as a fertilizer because of the low Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (N-P-K) values of 6-2-0. The cost of a 40 pound bag usually runs from $7.00 to $10.00. Milorganite® is commercially sold by fertilizer dealers throughout the United States. The effectiveness of a repellent is highly dependent on climatic conditions, deer density, and resource availability.

You can plant defensively so to speak. There are many plants that deer will not touch. You may have noticed some that go unharmed. Some gardeners have bordered their yards will these types that seem to steer the deer in other directions. Some are listed here:

TREES: Japanese Maples, Birches, Evergreens like Spruce or Pine, Holly (American), Ash, Magnolias, and Hawthorns

BUSHES or SHRUBBERY: Andromedas, Bayberry, Boxwoods, Dogwood shrubs, Daphnes, Forsythias, Lilacs, Myrtle, Nandinas, Oleanders and Roses Sharon.

PERENNIALS & GROUNDCOVER: Astilbes, Bee balms, Blazing stars, Crocuses, Coreopsis, Daffodils, Forget-me-nots, Foxgloves, Geraniums, Hyacinths, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Poppies, Peonies, Sage, Salvias, Veronica and Violets.

From what others as well as myself have experienced, commercial deer repellent from local garden supply stores have proven to be the most effective way to ward off the deer.

I wonder if they make a Purina Deer Chow. Just put out a couple bowls of this at night, they'll be too full to eat your plants. Now that I think of it, they do. It's called AntlerMax.

Don't take that last bit seriously; you'll have deer coming from miles around setting up camp.

Dan Ezell

http://www.thelittlegreenapple.com