got in the back where my veggies are and took several nibbles. Guess I shouldn't complain, as they didn't destroy anything, but of course I'm afraid they will come back. I'll lock the kittens up tonight so the dogs can go in and out and just let the neighbors complain about the barking.

Worst damage was to the peas, which they topped partially, so I guess I'll see if cutting back helps peas grow bushier, lol. They topped an eggplant and nibble on some beans, ate a clematis bloom, topped a flower and nibbled the roses bushes way back, but they were due.

Got fall seeds in and a whole wheel barrow of compost and watering now, but it's 89' at 9:30. Ugh.

Curses on you, bullwinkle.

Bummer, Maggie! They will be back. Maybe stretch out some strings across where you think they walked through with cans attached with pebbles in them to make noise when they brush against them. May not scare them, but might just alert the dogs to chase them off. Bullwinkle was a moose

I second oh2fly...

THEY WILL BE BACK!!!!!

do something! quick!

(panicked running to and fro)

Split hooved ungulate rats...

Believe it or not, I am in the middle of Seattle and I have had problems with deer and raccoons. I have had pretty good luck by, ummmm, having my guy pee along the back edge of the garden. Deer and coons don't like it at all. Spraying your plants every few days with a cayenne tea seems to make them a lot less interested too. Boil a quart of water and add 2-3 tablespoons of the hottest chili powder or pepper flakes you can find. Let it steep overnight and then spray all the potential critter yummies. Repeat after rainy days.[Be sure to rinse your veggies well before serving unless you like added spice!]

Well, I know Bullwinkle was a moose, but right now I'm a little down on all of them. The darn mule deer doe was back this afternoon, in broad daylight, she's as big as a small horse. Sent both dogs after her (she ignored me spraying with the hose from the back deck) and boy did she run.

I'm going to leave the kittens locked up and the back door open, so they can go outside tonight and do what they are paid to do (with alpo and weight control kibble).

Maggie

What worked well for me in East Texas. Where you may at anytime see over 20 white tail deer grazing, was hanging wet baby diapers around my crops. The smell of human urine seems to deter them better than anything. I tried playing a radio on the field, no effect, tried hanging my sweaty shirt around in the field, no effect, tried human hair, no effect. Hung the baby diapers around on stakes. They left the veggies alone. So if you have access to some soiled diapers, give it a try. Or, ummm, maybe try peeing on a towel and hanging it around the garden somewhere...lol...

quote:

Originally posted by VicinSea:
...having my guy pee along the back edge of the garden...

Yep, you can do this a little more modestly by peeing in an empty bottle for a couple of days, then cutting it with water 50%. I've found that I can do a different boundary of the yard every few days and that it stops the deer cold, as well as the dogs and cats. I got the idea from the movie Never Cry Wolf

A decent pellet gun (like one that has 1000fps) does wonders. I used to pop them with a cheap BB gun, but all that did was cause them to move a few feet. The new pellet gun--with a shot to the rear--gets them off the property fast. I've noticed fewer deer around since upgrading to a more potent sting--perhaps they're getting the message that they are unwelcome.

Where's the Bambi love? Start the barbie, venison steaks for everybody! Seriously, deer are a problem in most places. They keep breeding and are quite used to humans. Our solution of a 6 foot fence and 4 dogs works, but I realize that's not for everybody and frankly, it was expensive to fence this place. Pee around the border, if it works, costs nothing. Whatever works, go for it. A paintball gun could help, too. Blast them in the butt, mark them with color and you will know if it is the same one or one of many that's a problem for you.

We have chosen to eliminate most predators in suburban area's.

So, its your turn.

Eat more venison, or solicit someone who does.

LOL, David--"Bambi love"! They are some adaptable critters. Last year a doe and fawn came into the henyard to graze on clover...this year a young doe (the fawn with a season's growth, I think) keeps coming into the henyard in broad daylight to snitch corn out of the chickens feed trough. A couple of days ago she did it while DH was mowin out front with the big mower--she ignored all the noise, just checked to see if DH was paying any attention to the back yard, then calmly hopped the fence. Bold little gal.

If she gets in the garden tho', we're gonna call her "Yummy"! It'll be SSS--Steak, Stir Fry, and Stew!

LMAO, light the charcoal and pass the ammunition!

I'm all for shooting first and grilling later when it comes to deer. I have some lovely Roma tomatoes that I have been able to protect within a losely standing 4' fencing that I placed around a lasagna garden. I got out this morning and tied up the lush green, setting fruit Roma tomatoes..only to find that darn female deer chomping on my best efforts because I hadn't replaced the fencing adequately. She trampled down my lovely Crock neck squash vines to get to the tomatoes....

I had a nice conversation with the 70 year old women that gardened while I was at the Macular specialist today.. Around here.. as I am learning and they agreed.. the deer don't eat potato vines. squash or cucumbers.. but they love peppers and tomatoes.. THe deer also eat beans and sweet potato vines. The darn deer here haven't chomped on the cabbage plants either...

Tomorrow night we have a meeting of our "Master Gardeners" club.. I plan to pick their brains about what deer eat and don't eat in our area so I know how to plan to spend my BUsh bucks! I plan to spend my Bush bucks on making my place as productive for produce as I possibly can..

I won't use urine around vegetables and fruits, makes the ph of the soil all wacky, plus carries toxins out of the body. There is, however, plenty of dog urine and waste all around and that's not effective. Why should they be afraid of mine when they aren't afraid of the dogs'.

I also can't shoot a deer, just not something I would do. They are so big that I won't even get close without a broom in hand. The white tails don't go over the fence, I guess, just the huge old mule deer.

I will have trouble sleeping, because I would have to sic the dogs, they sleep more soundly than I, but if any dog in the neighborhood starts to bark, the golden tends to respond.

I would have no problem inviting a hunter over here to get Mildred. She is so dominate, she never has fawns, she just lords it over the landscape. But the zoning doesn't permit, small children and all that. So I'm stuck with the cursing and hoping that helps.

Happy wizzing, stay upwind.

Hah, it happened, the neighbor's dog started barking and me and my two ran down to the back and outside. The dogs ran around barking for a bit, I turned on the outdoor lamp, and the golden stayed out to patrol the perimeter. Could be noisy tonight, but I know he's on duty.

M

Maggie