Gardening and Horticulture - deer/groundhog proof flowers
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08-18-00, 01:33 PM
I have woods behind my house therefore I have many deer/groundhogs. I have a list of shrubs they do not eat but I love flowers all colors, lots of colors. Apparently so do the animals because they eat them all. any suggestions for pest proof flowers?? Should I bother with a rose garden?? thank you
08-18-00, 02:13 PM
I hate to say this but if you live in an area that is capable of getting deep snowfall every few years like I do even that list won't help. Here, in a bad winter when food is scarce for them, the deer will eat anything including the plants they don't like. We call arborvitae 'deer candy' and they "love" roses.
As a greenhouse nursery grower we sprang into action at the sight of one groundhog. I'll swear they'll eat anything. Practically wiped out a retail sales nursery by doing thousands of $$$ in damage 3 yrs. in a row.
The only thing I know that will work is a deer fence. This will work for both critters. There are some deer repellents on the market but since I haven't tried them I can't tell you which ones work. Check at your local garden center to see what they have. If a repellent will work for you then, at least, you would only need a shorter fence for the grounghogs which would be cheaper and more attractive.
Best of luck - Ladybug
As a greenhouse nursery grower we sprang into action at the sight of one groundhog. I'll swear they'll eat anything. Practically wiped out a retail sales nursery by doing thousands of $$$ in damage 3 yrs. in a row.
The only thing I know that will work is a deer fence. This will work for both critters. There are some deer repellents on the market but since I haven't tried them I can't tell you which ones work. Check at your local garden center to see what they have. If a repellent will work for you then, at least, you would only need a shorter fence for the grounghogs which would be cheaper and more attractive.
Best of luck - Ladybug
frankswsj
08-17-03, 10:03 PM
I have heard that the soap 'Irish Spring' will keep away deer, if bars of the soap are hung 3-5 ft. apart off the ground in those areas where required. Can anyone out there confirm ?
harleyboy
08-19-03, 06:30 AM
Oh Deer!
Last year, the varmits began grazing in my flower garen and didn't stop until they'd eaten everything green including the lillies out of the pond. When I mentioned letting my son 'hunt' in the back yard, my mom, a beautican, brought bags of hair and scattered it everywhere. What a mess. The hair, of course didn't work. I spoke to a local extension agent and he explained that things like soap, hair etc, might work once, but that the deer just get used to the odor and graze on. What he did suggest that worked was stringing a single line of fishing line around the perimeter of my garden about 3 feet high. The deer bump up against it, and since they can't see it, they back away rather than jumping it. If your garden area is very large, it may seem like a daunting task but it's worth the effort.
Last year, the varmits began grazing in my flower garen and didn't stop until they'd eaten everything green including the lillies out of the pond. When I mentioned letting my son 'hunt' in the back yard, my mom, a beautican, brought bags of hair and scattered it everywhere. What a mess. The hair, of course didn't work. I spoke to a local extension agent and he explained that things like soap, hair etc, might work once, but that the deer just get used to the odor and graze on. What he did suggest that worked was stringing a single line of fishing line around the perimeter of my garden about 3 feet high. The deer bump up against it, and since they can't see it, they back away rather than jumping it. If your garden area is very large, it may seem like a daunting task but it's worth the effort.
fewalt
08-19-03, 09:43 PM
Three ft high fishing line is a tad too high. Most all deer can squeeze under 15" barb wire.
I use double strands of fish line, 10 inches and 2 ft. high.
I've seen the deer walk the entire length of line and not cross it.
The ones that sneak in from the other side of the yard get paint balled!!
fred
I use double strands of fish line, 10 inches and 2 ft. high.
I've seen the deer walk the entire length of line and not cross it.
The ones that sneak in from the other side of the yard get paint balled!!
fred