[gardeners] deer
flylo@txcyber.com (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Wed, 27 Jun 2001 11:28:03 -0500
Tom, the deer proof fence is probably the only thing that'll be sure
fire. But, these tricks have worked for me (so far). I plant my corn in
big blocks then plant something 'stickery/viney' underneath like
zucchini. Deer don't like the vines and whiskery leaves. They like
neat, orderly little paths. I also broadcast several pounds of field
peas outside my garden and till that in lightly. What the deer don't
get, I can turn to green manure later on, but it seems to keep them
from devouring the whole garden. Don't plant tall stuff like bean
trellis or corn on the 'far side, sneaky side' of the garden area. Don't
give the deer a lot of cover to hide in.
I do have my garden set up so one side of the 80' square meets up
with my solar electric fenceline. Before we put the fence up, that
was a regular flight pattern for all sorts of wildlife, deer, wild hog,
coyotes, you name it. Now they all skirt around the edges, even
leaving the garden alone. Well, so far anyhow.
I've heard about sprinkling out human hair cuttings, draping old dirty
sox around, hiding rotten eggs outside the garden, and finally,
tossing around lion poop. Even if these worked well, none seem
like they'd be very conducive to gardening in a community setting,
though! Well, one of our (distant) neighbors does have 4 tigers,
guess I could test some of that theory out if need be. <G>
("Hi! Could I borrow a cup of .....?")
Martha, (Texas)
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