keeping the deer out of the garden (Bangor, Augusta: leasing, home)

[ekh32]

Any suggestions for keeping deer out of a vegetable garden inexpensively? We are looking into fencing, but want to keep it cheap. Will 4 feet high be enough?

I am afraid to plant anything until we get a fence up or something.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by ekh32

Any suggestions for keeping deer out of a vegetable garden inexpensively? We are looking into fencing, but want to keep it cheap. Will 4 feet high be enough?

I am afraid to plant anything until we get a fence up or something.

The government response would be if you don't want deer, don't plant a garden. If criminals break into corner mail boxes, take away the boxes; if they break into stamp machines in post office lobbies, take away the machines; if you don't want to be robbed, stay home and lock your doors. If you shoot a robber, arrest the home owner. Hope this helps.

[corgis]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

The government response would be if you don't want deer, don't plant a garden. If criminals break into corner mail boxes, take away the boxes; if they break into stamp machines in post office lobbies, take away the machines; if you don't want to be robbed, stay home and lock your doors. If you shoot a robber, arrest the home owner. Hope this helps.

Good Grief - what a stupid answer to a good question.

[arzachena]

human hair. Ask your local Hair Solon to collect the hair cuttings in a paper bag. Place the hair around the border of your garden.
There are several plants you can plant around your garden border as well.
Boxwood is one.
Here is a list of Perennials:
Astilbe
Bee Balm
Bleeding Heart
Columbine
Coralbells
Evergreen Candytuft
Forget-Me-Not
Foxglove
Hardy Geranium
Hellebore
Hibiscus
Iris
Monkshood
Oriental Poppy
Peony
Perennial Alyssum
Perennial Flax
Pinks
Salvia
Yarrow
Yucca

And here are a few Herbs:
Angelica
Anise Hyssop
Basil
Catmint
Chamomile
Chives
Comfrey
Dill
Fennel
Lamb's ears
Lavender
Lavender Cotton
Lemon balm
Mint
Mullein
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme

[tankratt]

As for fencing 4 feet will not be high enough. most feed stores have deer fence, it is 7 to 8 feet tall and come in 160 fot lengths, my neighbor bought some last year and had a great garden, I did not and had a salad bar nightly for the deer. I am buying some this year.

[msina]

My sister mentioned a "Deer Buster" they are trying out this year. It's a motion activated electronic device her neighbor used last year with good results.

[dmyankee]

30-30?

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by dmyankee

30-30?

How 'bout .308?

And USDA Wildlife Services in Augusta has an electric fence leasing program so the gov't will help with the deer problem. Me? I may just plant swiss chard on the opposite side of the yard. They love that stuff and maybe that will keep them out of the rest of mine.

[Kracer]

8' fence...which a motivated deer can leap in a single bound

or

a free ranging dog

or

or bribe the deer with an alternate food plot..which then may attract more deer to your yard. Best if someone in the area has planted crops as a diversion from your garden. you will see seasonal shifts in feeding patterns....

all the rest is myth.....if any one method worked all the responders would mention it....worked at a place that had lions and a few folks tried lion dung to no affect. Deer are very smart and have a fast learning curve. Deer know if a dog is tied up and how close they can come, when you go to work and when you come home. I was grilling some venison steaks by the garden and darn if a buck didn't show up and rub some cedars about 50 paces away and then left. Ever see national geo films of well fed lions walking among unconcerned antelope? These deer are smart!

bleeding heart and several other plants go by before your veggies sprout. A deer walked over the fennel, past the mint, through the artemesia and stomped several beds getting to the seedum...last week. Still haven't seen the bleeding hearts but the rhubarb, whose parent lives in Bangor, is growing quite well, thank you.

Oh boy do I have a great venison chili recipe.

As for the government, here in NJ, folks in bear country are held hostage by rules which favor da bears.

[Maine Writer]

Dogs. Don't let them chase the deer other than out of the garden. If you have to tie the dog be sure to move it to different places. Deer will learn how far the dog can go.

A motion activated sprinkler works on a lot of things. Don't forget it's there!

Pee around the perimeter. I don't have person experience with this but I'm told it works well.

Set roosevelt outside the garden. Don't forget to move him from time to time.