Deer are eating my front-yard garden - what to do??

[lizabird]

I have both flowers and veggies in my front yard. I live in a residential neighborhood but we're close to a greenway and the deer wander into my yard and munch. So far, they seem to like peas, strawberries, tomatoes, and a bunch of different flowers. What can I do, that's not too obnoxious or toxic, to deter them?

1. A family down the street uses "Irish Spring" deodorant soap, about one bar of soap every 2 feet in their garden, and that seems to keep the deer away for them (deer don't like the smell of it, and I must agree with them ) So I"ve put out some soap and that sort-of works, but I would need about 100 bars of soap in my garden!

2. I've heard human hair works... anyone tried this?? Just lying it around the garden...?

3. I wouldn't mind using a fence, except the garden is right in the middle of my front yard, about 10 feet from the street and there are absolutely no other fences in anyone else's front yard so a big tall fence would be rather... distasteful.

4. Any organic or other natural (or at least not toxic) deer repellants anyone knows of?

Thanks!

[Rebecca]

Urine. I'd have dh and your boys (if you have sons) go pee out there when no one's looking or bottle it up and pour it around. You can actually buy fox and bear urine at farm stores.

Bitter Apple spray keeps them from eating flowers and bulbs somewhat too, but my rabbits seem to think that's marinade.

[medeanj]

Though I have a mesh deer fence around my garden, it would certainly not keep them out altogether.

I found that by planting herbs that deer do not particularly like (Sage, Mint, Rosemary, Chives, etc...) around the perimeter (I have a 4x4 garden) seems to keep them away.

I would recommend getting out of the library, Outwitting Deer, by Bill Adler, Jr. It has been a great help in listing what plants/trees that deer like and don't like as well as alternatives in how to keep them out.

[lizabird]

medeanj, that book Outwitting Deer sounds perfect, I'll have to check that out.

I did consider having DS go pee all around the garden maybe I"ll give that a try too!

[medeanj]

Originally Posted by lizabird

medeanj, that book Outwitting Deer sounds perfect, I'll have to check that out.

I did consider having DS go pee all around the garden maybe I"ll give that a try too!

I told DH to start training my son how to stand and pee by letting loose at my compost pile.

[Mtn/Boulder Mom]

I live in a an area where Deer & Elk are fed quite nicely by neighborhood gardens! They really eat anything if they are hungry.

I have had success with:
chili pepper spray -from the hardware store
sour apple - from the pet store

I have also heard of the irish spring soap - and you can do shavings of the soap - which would go farther...

Good luck!

[Pandora114]

Bumped a thread for ya HTH! called "Non Toxic Critter Repellant"

[momto l&a]

I sprinkle chili pepper flakes on the plants. Works!

One must re-apply after a rain.