Mildred the mule deer was back last night (naturally) and this time she went into the bed and ate my scarlet runners. All the peas are gone, not even enough to save seed. But the scarlet runners - no!

So I did what I never do, which is use liquid fence in the backyard. I mixed it in the watering can and watered all the perimeters (pavement, weeds, woodrails) with the mixture, also the non-productive fruit trees which she's been devastating and flowers around the berries, then all the flowers on the perimeter of the flower beds and the ones she's been at, including the roses, delphinium,penstemon, nine-bark. I stayed away from the strawberries and left the gooseberries untreated, too. But I hit every ornamental she's ever nibbled on.

As I was turning the corner of the flower bed, dogs at my side, who should hop out in front of me but Mildred. She was over the fence before the dogs could even bark.

This fall I will invest in the cost of the long sides of my yard in hurricane fencing. The short sides already have six foot or better fences which not even a mule deer can jump. I have had it with her and her ilk.

Maggie

My deepest syphompy (please forgive my poor attempt at spelling)for you & your garden. I assure you we all come to bear a similar cross when it comes to raising plants, animals & kids.

If you know a barber who is willing to save you some human hair that's not been colored or been treated with anything at all; in other words; completely natural, untreated, hair works well to keep rabbits, deer, etc. out of the garden. Just lay a perimeter of hair around your garden beds and the critters should run away after getting a whiff of the human scent.

Then people wonder why I have no problem eating Bambi - besides it organic also