Oh deer, where are my flowers? Often here in the Miss-Lou, hours of hard work in the garden become a delicious meal for deer. The statuesque creatures with big brown eyes have a huge appetite, and the Miss-Lou isn’t known as a deer hunter’s paradise for nothing.

Unfortunately, due to construction and intrusion into their habitat, deer are moving in closer for a good supper these days.

Practically speaking, &uot;deer proofing&uot; your garden is next to impossible. However, here are some tips you might try to discourage deer from having a dinner party in your garden.

Fences are an obvious solution for the control of deer over a long period of time. Several types are available. Wooden posts and high-tensile, electric fencing is the most effective and durable. An electric fence would have to remain &uot;hot&uot; at all times.

Unfortunately, fencing and barriers are an expensive alternative. In addition, some people are not fond of the idea of shocking animals, not to mention that your garden will look and feel like the state penitentiary in Woodville. Definitely not the atmosphere you were looking to create when you started gardening.

Repellents are another possibility in reducing the number of deer foraging your landscape, although this is not a fool proof answer to the problem either. Several commercial repellents are available on the market that can be sprayed on plants.

Hinder is a taste and odor repellent that consists of ammonium soaps. BGR is another taste and odor repellent that contains rotten eggs. Hot sauce is a deer taste repellent made from red pepper.

The idea behind the repellents is that you will be encouraging the deer to eat other plants besides the ones you spray. Keep in mind though that a hungry deer will do just about anything to eat. During the winter when food is scarce in the woods, even a smelly plant will taste good to a starving deer.

Dogs may sometimes scare deer away, as may frightening devices such as noise makers. However, deer may acclimate quickly to these tactics. Moving them around every few days may help.

Deer are usually picky eaters when food is abundant. By rearranging plants somewhat, perhaps you can defend your flowers.

Plants that are of the lowest preference should be placed on the outer edges of your property. Keep in mind that the more hungry deer become, the better chance that they will munch on just about anything.

Some trees, shrubs and vines that deer don’t particularly enjoy include sweet-gum, barberry, boxwood, butterfly bush, dogwood, fig, holly, nandina, magnolia, rosemary, viburnum and wisteria.

Agapanthus, artemesia, columbine, foxglove, hollyhock, lamb’s ears, lantana, mints, thyme, periwinkle, salvias, zinnia, verbena, yarrow are some of the least preferred flowering garden plants. Plants in the onion family, such as onion chives, garlic chives, onion, garlic and society garlic also are not a favorite for deer supper.

Another approach would be to plant species that deer prefer on the outer edges. This may provide them with a sufficient food source so that they will not need to move in any closer to the home.

Trees, shrubs and vines included in this category are azalea, clematis, hydrangea, redbud, English ivy, peach, plum and vinca.

Perennial garden plants of ajuga, chrysanthemum, dianthus, daylily, phlox, hosta, roses, sedum and violets are a gourmet meal for deer.

The bottom line is that the deer seem to be here to stay and will probably get worse if you are a gardener (better if you are a hunter).

We will just have to learn to cohabitate with our antlered friends.

Write

Traci Maier

at

ratmaier@bellsouth.net

.