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Garden Gate:  Deer pests?  |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 12 2016 : 5:46:19 PM
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Can we talk deer for a sec? We are planning to plant at our new farm this spring (God willing), we KNOW deer will be an issue. Where we will put our plot in this year has been cattle pasture for at least 50 years. There is also an issue that we won't be there all the time, more than likely, because we won't get to move out there right away. My husband's dad will keep an eye on things for us, since he lives next door, but I would like to have an abundance to put by this year! Not to mention, try new things! Where we live now, our space is very limited (since we live on 2 acres that is 95% woods). Unfortunately, we only harvested one doe from the farm this fall (just b/c we couldn't get up there enough, there are plenty of deer). The one tip I have heard that made sense came from a tour my daughter did at a large farm that offers CSAs. The guy who managed the 6 acre food garden said they have perimeter hotwire. They don't always leave it one, though. For a couple of weeks before they planted they spread PB on the wire. Then, the day they planted, they turned it on. May be sorta mean, but the guy says they never have any problems!! So what tips do you have to prevent the deer from eating our garden?
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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guineahen
True Blue Farmgirl
86 Posts
Andrea
Hawley
Pa
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2016 : 4:38:35 PM
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| Ugghhh, deer! We are in a heavy deer area too. I like that fencing idea that you shared and am sorry that I don't have anything wise to share except, maybe in the fall you can put in a lot of garlic since they leave that alone as far as I know. Scary too that the deer help spread disease. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2016 : 6:44:32 PM
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I have a 6 foot fence with a wire/cable about 2 feet above that I hang plastic neon tape so they can see it and not try to jump in That is the only way I know works I have to many Grands for electric fence. It is totally enclosed.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1503 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1503 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2016 : 11:45:51 PM
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We have an 8' ht screen fence around our garden with two gates for access. We started with a 6' ht fence but the stinkers were able to jump the fence so we had to add on more height. Benner's garden makes a really sturdy plastic deer fencing. It's pricey but lasts well and holds up to wear and tear as long as you don't have rodents. We used scrap form lumber to build our fence posts and stringers about 10 years ago but the boards aren't treated and are rapidly deteriorating so we are going to start replacing our fence in sections next year. I'm going to use metal sheep fencing this time to help keep Peter and his friends from gnawing their way into the garden every summer.
We've had reasonable luck with an impact sprinkler on a motion detector that sprays the deer if they get too close. For fruit trees and shrubbery we've had great control with a deer repellent called Plantskydd - it's an OMRI certified product made from dried animal blood that you mix in water. Developed in Sweden to protect tree farms and reforestation areas from grazing. It's kinda gross but it really works if you spray it on regularly - but you do have to be careful not to get it on edible fruit once it sets. I've even had good luck spraying a 3' wide swath of lawn around a client's garden bed to keep them out of her roses. Apparently deer and rabbits don't like the odor. Good luck with your new garden!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
Edited by - edlund33 on Jan 29 2016 11:47:13 PM |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2016 : 08:03:45 AM
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I live off grid and can't afford solar fence chargers. I've seen deer jump over 6 ft fences flat foot with out a running start. They also run through fences. Now I would like to try the pie tin method but putting solar lights out there at so at night the so the tins are illuminated and maybe scare off the deer. I have 2 does hanging out.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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naturemaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
2569 Posts
Connie - Farmgirl #673
Hoosick Falls
NY
USA
2569 Posts |
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DandeeRose
True Blue Farmgirl
1509 Posts
Alicia
Charlestown, IN
1509 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2016 : 05:29:07 AM
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Luckily all they have done so far is pull out a few potato plantings very early on. But then again, all we have RIGHT now id potatoes and tomatoes.... Corn rotted due to too much moisture (there are 10, I plan to replant) and I haven't put anything else out. It was a cool/cold/ wet early spring...
Many Blessings- Alicia #5232 FGOTM May 2016
https://derbauernhofsite.wordpress.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/DandeeRose Farmgirl Accessories and more!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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Garden Gate: Deer pests? |
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Deer pests?
