How I keep deer from eating my plants | The Impatient Gardener

[@Melissa-gg8xc]

"Let's be honest, you guys, I'm not doing that math, I just sorta eyeball it." ... which is EXACTLY why I love your videos.

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

I don't even have deer anymore but that clip with you chasing the deer off was so funny 🤣

[@HowsItGrowing]

It was so funny! 😂

[@lynbuerkett8537]

Lol, so polite, but ya, move along!

[@kelly51757]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@billzero7274]

I use Liquid Fence for Deer and rabbit. I also purchased a back pack garden sprayer at Harbor Freight for around $30.00. I have had it approx 5 years, use it all summer every year and it is still working great !

[@carresteigerwald3278]

Thats what I use and it works very well.

[@clarechomyn9686]

Thank you for the sprayer info

[@amyp8162]

You look like a botanical ghost buster in this vid

[@TheImpatientGardener]

That's my Halloween costume!

[@starone38]

She’s still pretty woman in the whole yard....😉🥰

[@paulag.panzermd8239]

I love the “excuse, me, could you leave please” scene. I have done that too - doesn’t help but feels better (before I throw something near to them, to chase them away).

[@ttb1513]

I was shaving while listening to the video. Was not even 1 minute in and I thought I had heard the solution. Was wondering what the last 14 minutes were going to be about.

[@k.weinberger2421]

When I saw that scene, I was thinking a paintball gun would be awesome right about now.

[@sandy-rr1by]

i am considerably older than you are, so my 1 or 2 gallon sprayers are quite heavy to haul around. i set the filled sprayer in the red wagon the grands outgrew.

[@careneicke9185]

Great idea! I use my riding mower, I put the garden spray between my feet and ride around spraying weeds to kill and for deer.

[@mattvereb5186]

We spray deer repellent for customers. Good idea to spray under the leaves, especially the hostas. Spraying under the leaves helps keep the liquid spay on when it rains. Really is important to use a type of "stickler"/adjuvant that acts like a glue to make liquid stick to plants. This can be as simple as a little dish soap, raw egg, or a commercial product from a box store/online. We use a bittering agent in our repellent. It's the single most effective ingredient. The deer might mingle and taste but they wont eat the plants , they will just move on. Highly recommend a battery backpack sprayer with an extendable wand.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Thanks for sharing those tips!

[@specialteams5092]

Good idea!!

[@hal7ter]

what is a 'bittering agent?

[@cody481]

​@@hal7ter I use ground up peppers soaked in water then spray the plants every day. That way I have a beautiful garden........... and then it rains 2 days in a row and the garden is stripped bald. And I start over. Again and again and again.

[@sherryhudson9075]

My daughter had a deer problem in her yard until a neighbor told her about using a radio. She would set the radio in the area the deer were eating. Turned it on all night talk radio, and the deer wouldn’t come near. Cheap and effective.

[@LIMABN]

FM talk radio 'would drive me away- LOL!

[@theloniousm4337]

Talk radio is all well and good but what if you have conservative deer?

[@theheritagehousesc]

😂😂😂 Nothing keeps mine away. They don’t even move even if I run after them😂

[@hal7ter]

WE kept a radio on and it kept the coons out of the corn, but radio all summer long (young cabbages, hostas, mature cabbages) I couldn't deal with that!

[@flyswatter6470]

@@theloniousm4337 try PBS

[@alsferra630]

You covered it all! Especially the advice to spray weekly in Spring etc. I have used Liquid Fence deer repellent for over 14 years. We are able to have tulips, hostas etc (close to the house) as long as we spray consistently… I would also suggest to spray in evening. That way the smell is fresh when deer come by. I have seen leaf burn if I spray when sunny.. 9:47 Set a Sunday night reminder….

[@smdirksen28]

You’re hilarious! I live in a national forest and so many deer issues. I will say that motion sensor sprinklers are awesome and kind of game changer in keeping deer out of garden beds.

[@preciousgirl3011]

Could you please tell what kind do you use? Thanks!

[@HollcomeTook]

That actually sounds like a good idea.

[@ttb1513]

A "game changer"??! So what type of game do you get instead of deer? Lol Kidding aside, (which ‘kids’ are goats, right?) I just deployed a motion activated sprinkler. Good to know they can work. Hopefully I find myself ‘fawning’ over my sprinkler.

[@CarolZone8A]

After having new hosta plants eaten before I even got them in the ground, I went the fishing line route. I was planting a long shade garden at the edge of the woods so made a 'fence’ of fishing line that the deer can't see at night. Easy to string around bed area using trees at 3 feet or so high - could also use stakes, but I didn’t need to since at the edge of woods. I also spray occasionally just to mix it up a bit and discourage the little guys. So far, I've added mu;triple hosta this summer with only the first-time fatalities. As my garden areas grow along the woods, I may well try the spray you recommend since my vision for that shade area will rely on lots more hosta. Enjoy your channel!!

[@52janethatcher]

Fishing line works for me also. I live in the woods too. Also Plant Skydd works well and lasts a long time. Sometimes I make a lighter solution just because... Mainly new growth.

[@dustyacres]

@@52janethatcher Thanks for the comments, can I ask how you put your string up and how far away from the bed or plants and what size string did you use

[@janetnorris2255]

@@52janethatcher yes I would also like to know how you went about it. I did it but evidently I didn’t put the lines close enough or something

[@lauragreen4899]

I love the idea of using fishing line to create an invisible fence. I could definitely do this at the back of my yard where the woods start. Thank you for the great idea.

[@Max-hq2jm]

Fishing line will cut their legs. I've seen it and it's not pretty. I have a herd of 8, and am at my wit's end, but I just can't resort to harming them.

[@jberry4851]

I used this method for the first time this year...the backpack is a dream!! My husband joked about my purchase until he watched it in use. Now he has ordered one for his yard projects (I won't share). Thank you for this very helpful video!!

[@sandy-rr1by]

"HEY, ONWARD"... dasher, dancer... gotta say this is your most entertaining vid yet!!!

[@sharongauss9298]

The Deer Stopper tape soaked in the solution works great and reusable for years. We attach it to stakes in the ground around our flower beds and it has broken the deer paths through our property

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Oh that’s great to know! I haven’t tried that. Maybe I’ll get some for winter.

[@celinedavis2189]

I do feel your pain! I laughed out loud about the egg spray plugging issue. I moved to the Long Beach peninsula in Washington, 7 years ago, with 50 rose bushes and gardening plans. I finally got closer to keeping them out of the roses with commercial deer spray, but as you said, rain is no help for that. I finally bought two sets of 7 foot tall metal arches and stood them up in my 34 ft by 6 ft homage to Monet's Grand Alley and surrounded them with heavy duty deer mesh. My fondest moment was one morning looking down on my masterpiece watching a deer standing on the outside looking in at my newly budding roses. He gave up and went looking for something else. Will be going through more of your tubes for more insight. Cheers!

[@elizabethfilips1760]

I'm so excited you are using that sprayer, i think my Hubby Brad recommended it to you as well, we love it!!!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Tell Brad thank you!!!!

[@jennifernash4638]

I was actually really excited my neighborhood deer family let me enjoy one whole lily bloom before they are the stalk to the ground (they've been doing this for years now and that lily keeps coming back every year). I don't dislike the deer but I want to put in a hydrangea hedge along one of their pathways through my yard so I'm glad to see a manageable solution!

[@great-garden-watch]

Brilliant suggestion to have a four foot fence and another four foot fence. This is so helpful. This idea saved my garden. I have a four foot fence around my garden. And i have only a few places where the deer could jump. So i moved my garden swing in front of one area and a cage i have for apple trees in front of the other accessible fence section! So far so good.

[@kimby81]

You were hilarious talking to that deer, a lot nicer than I’ve been, lol! They eat my some of my roses but not all of them, weird... Never touch my lilies or my hydrangeas either. Now I’ve done it, put it out there, lol!

[@Wou285]

A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe... You are so nice and it is to interesting to listen to you.

[@SeaBatiste]

Early in the season I planted some garlic cloves in the same bed. I don't plan to eat the garlic I just want the smell as the deer hate it(or so I've read). Later in the season I planted some society garlic near my hydrangeas. This plant has beautiful edible flowers and leaves. SO FAR SO GOOD!

[@amesacres8261]

Great video. I have just started to get deer in my gardens the last two years. Yes I spray just like you do. Not hard to do, and saves my plants and flowers.

[@tinamerritt8572]

I will try your suggestions! Those stinkers ate cosmos, okra, sunflowers, hibiscus, ancho peppers, lilies, milkweed, and of course my roses all in ONE NIGHT!! I have over an acre of gardens planted. As bummed as I was to see it, I replanted and will try the repellents. I live in Florida and will have to apply often as it rains heavily here through the season. ❤️

[@kathleenem9207]

So sorry- that was so much hard work spoiled. I’ve been there. I vacillate with wanting to kill them in the summer and wanting to feed them through a rough winter. Weird.

[@darlenerobinson3691]

thank you for answering my question regarding the deer problem we have. This link was helpful. ill experiment this growing season.

[@robertmcevoy24]

The tank from Ghostbusters now going after Deer ! We’ve had success with a motion sprinkler they set it off and the run like the dickens. We had a Buck staring at us in the front window sticking its tongue out at my wife the Gardner with her newly planted Day lily hanging offs it’s lips! That’s when I installed the motion sprinkler so far so good.

[@marysmith9934]

The deer were eating my flowers so I bought corn for them. They ate the corn and had the flowers for dessert. I make deer repellent that works good, but my yard is smaller than yours.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

I just burst out laughing at your comment, so funny! =D

[@debrabelton3161]

😅🤣😂

[@mattthomas1430]

But corn can kill deer

[@lsherylc2524]

They love it - eat whole Bags of chicken feed

[@wendyperez8714]

I love your sense of humor. Subscribed!

[@GardenEvolution]

That deer clip was hilarious the first time and hilarious the second! 😂

[@patsilvers7708]

I could not find the recipe for your deer repellent you mentioned in your video. Thank you for all the information you offered. Great Video.

[@RicardGrant]

Interesting video.. pretty much my experience too. I tried your backpack sprayer and subsequently a gas powered one ( even heavier ) then I discovered a Makita 18v battery powered one and its a game changer, really light and hand held... I purchase a gallon of neem oil ( my insecticide of choice ) and two litres of cinnamon oil (which I mix with soap ) for the deer repellent and that lot lasts two years and costs about 130 bucks direct from India to here in Japan...

[@allyssaschneider8728]

I don't even have deer and I just watched your video from beginning to end. Dang, you're good!

[@preciousgirl3011]

Omg!!! I started to read the comments and didn’t even paid attention in the video... except for the beautiful deer family you have there!!! They’re absolutely adorable!!

[@kathrynowens2678]

Great post! Our holy grail is Bobex! We've used for a good 7 years now. Hubby has reminder on his phone for every 2 weeks. You are so right though as to what they prefer to eat in different locations. Our deer here in Washington don't touch hostas. When I lived in Minnesota, they ate them like candy.

[@beebop9808]

Thanks! Tried electric fencing. Works great but it has to be permanent and always hot. Like other animals they will test it with their noses once they know it's there. If they don't sense power it's game on. I hunted for a very long time but no longer do. I have a small herd of deer that live with me here now and I try to coexist with them. Beautiful and interesting critters. We just have our arguments.

[@kp-gbuniqueinterest]

I think that is smart that you spray everything. Like in the winter, they will eat whatever is available, and they are hungry. But if you only spray the ones the like, it might give that same winter affect where they will try the plants.

[@rondatignor2300]

Milorganite fertilizer spread along my garden perimeter has worked beautifully for me for several years. I apply it by hand about every 3 months...easy peasy.

[@janig2831]

Is that fertilizer deer repellent?? 🤔

[@rondatignor2300]

@@janig2831 it's not advertised as a deer repellent I don't think. But it's the best I have found. Yes, melorganite is a fertilizer.

[@HowsItGrowing]

I don’t have deer (yet) Neighbors say they graze 2 blocks up. 👀 I’ll watch any video you make because you are, in fact, a dear! 😘

[@larrywoolard4160]

Thank you so much for this video, until we saw your video we had tried everything, nothing worked for very long until they get accustomed to it. Then, we were told about something you can make yourself: Put 3 eggs (shell and all) in blender, add 1/2 gallon whole milk then the contents of a shaker bottle of Cyane pepper powder. Blend it all up and put in 1 gallon jug, add water to make it 3/4 full so you can shake it before use. Set it in the sun with lid loose for 2 weeks until it smells terrible. The deer will get one taste of it and then associate it with the smell. They don't even come in our yard anymore, they hate it. We've used it for 3 years and it is just great! I apply it with a paintbrush in a small ice cream bucket then just sling it onto the plants. It really doesn't take much.

[@Jubebebe]

Do you spray it on the plants?

[@kristanicholas2936]

We are overrun by deer. Nothing has worked so far. Irish Spring soap is eaten by some animal, maybe possums or groundhogs, they love it. I even put the soap in hose as recommended by our yard guy. What a joke, we had torn panty hose hanging with the soap eaten. The animals even climbed up the trees! The deer now are so good they can lift heavy netting! Spray works for about a day, we switch back and forth. Human urine does not work either. Dog hair is a joke too. Don’t buy the roaring lions or jokers that are motion sensors. Waste of money. Now most safe plants are no longer safe because the deer are starving.

[@larrywoolard4160]

@@Jubebebe I apply it with a paint brush, just dip the brush in the mix and fling it on the leaves and ground around the perimeter, once they get a taste of it they come away with their mouths burning and associate the smell of rotten eggs and sour milk with the burning in the future. We have used it for several years, it works great.

[@connielynn7236]

Yes!! Thanks for doing this video! We currently don’t have a deer problem but we will be moving to the country in the spring where I’m sure there will be plenty! Good to know deer resistant plants may not be resistant after all. I will definitely be going the spraying route!

[@katiejo1095]

I have counrty property in zone 9. Deer breed on my property, what a challenge! I tried everything from Deer Stopper to hanging bars of Ivory Soap! I desperately wanted some roses which they kept eating up. I caged florabunda roses under an eight foot trellis. When they were tall enough I took the cages off and now the deer eat everything up to 6 feet or so, and my roses are like tall beautiful rose trees. Deer love flowers and will try everything when you first plant, so cage until they are rooted enough that the deer can't pluck them out of the ground. On my property I have no fences but you can keep them out with solid fences, if they cannot see through they wont jump it. If they can see through the will jump or bolt through wire fences! After 25 years of struggling with them I no longer use fences, I just plant all tried and true plants that deer do not eat: Succulents (all types) Lilies Daffodil Rosemary Thyme Iris Daisy Lavender Tarragon Oregano Sage Mint Nasturtium Peonies Onion Cactus Jasmine Poppies Dandelion (it is a plant not just a weed 😊) Deer dont eat pungent plants and plants that grow from a bulb or rhizomes. Many of these plants flower and are fragrant.

[@tamrasant2792]

Yep finally started a nice size garden & the deer ate just about everything & what they didn’t eat they bite into & dropped. Learned a big lesson I just bought chicken wire & about to put it up. Also bought “Deer Off” not sure if it will work yet.

[@leighcontella811]

I live in Birmingham, AL in a large neighborhood, and have never seen deer and armadillo damage like this place (been here 4 years). My neighbor has trapped FOUR armadillos this summer already. We deal with lots of rabbits as well. I have used a lot of products in the yard, including Bobbex, dog hair, cayenne pepper, but have settled on spraying Liquid Fence and sprinkling another repellent. This is the first year I have hostas! Every summer I look out to see if the deer have wandered by the “salad bar,” to have a meal. This year, I was very faithful early on with the spray and I think that made a difference. I also did what Erin did, and sprayed head level of the perimeter of my yard. So far, so good. I’ve also learned that deer resistant isn’t really a thing if they are hungry. This experience has taught me so much! Great info here, so thank you!

[@leecarriker9762]

I just started watching you the last few weeks. I love you. Getting into that sprayer made me laugh out loud truly! Thanks for the good info!

[@Pets-n-Treats]

Yes, they try a lot of different things. Deer didn't use to mess with my raspberries but a fawn tried them one year now my raspberries have been nibbled down to the shin height every year since. She clearly tried it and liked it.

[@sambeach7462]

I had a similar conversation with a rabbit today in my garden. I even ran towards it waving my arms and growling. 🤣

[@vgil1278]

I've tried that too, but the big males just sat on their haunches, staring at me till I got pretty close and then slowly without fear would hop away.

[@cocinandoconlillie5062]

I do the same😂😂

[@Mustangmom2k]

Yep. Our big male rabbit, which we've named Roger, just stares at us until we get about a foot away. Shoot, sometimes he just stretches and litarally lays down to take a nap unless I run right at him, yelling and stomping and waving my arms.

[@nancyneve6811]

The snow clip made my day!

[@hollieallan7262]

Hanging pieces of Irish spring soap works! I saw on a video in an orchard, they hung pieces every 2-3 trees. I am trying it in zone 3 Canada and it is working!!

[@TPayne-fm8ie]

Funny, my deer have never touched my hydrangeas. But they will chow geraniums which my neighbor says they they don't touch. I'm saving for a fence so I can have roses again. Ive tried repellents but my husband can't stand the smell and so it repels him too. Ive had some success with blood meal stakes at the perimeter.

[@marilynm2086]

I have tried bobbed and plantskydd with pretty good results. Will definitely try deer stopper. I hate it when the deer get a bit of attitude and start huffing back at me. Such jerks.

[@kathleenem9207]

During the winter we actually had a youngish deer nibble on the faux trees on my front porch ( only 2 steps) . I sprayed them with Irish Spring soup. Just a few shavings of the soap in water. Thats what I have been using during the summer on my sedums which the deer love. Our herd just decimated 3 shrubs ( it’s March in NJ) I planted last year plus an older Rhododendron so I am going to try the Messina product.

[@lauragreen4899]

I have had very good success with Irish spring soap. The soap cuts easily. I cut each bar into three or four pieces and place a piece at the base of each hosta plant. By the end of the season the soap disappears from the water. I forgot to place soap in a couple pots where I put some hosta and those are the only ones the deer ate. They didn't touch the hosta that was nearby in the ground because it had the soap.

[@michaelhidecker5889]

Awesome to see what works good on the deer there such a pain in the you no !!!

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

Oh Erin I’m so glad we don’t have deer in our English gardens. What a performance you have to go through. But I love the way you were pumping up the spray, it looks like you are about to walk onto the moon in that outfit 😁 love your videos, always watch them 😁

[@hellocondo7525]

I use a mixture of Irish Spring body wash and water - about one half cup of body wash and 8 litres of water in a sprayer...so far so good! Need to re-spray after rain, and/or every few days. I also sprinkle grated Irish spring soap around some higher demand deer plants..

[@lindamyers953]

I use a homemade deer and rabbit repellant and when ready to use I strain it through an old tea towell, or double layered cheesecloth then put it in my pump sprayer or backpack sprayer. I also use blood meal tossed around the garden and directly on some plants. We have a horrific deer and rabbit problem here in the PNW!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

What a great idea to strain it through cheesecloth!

[@loriswain8140]

I use liquid fence for the deer but I also deal with a stinkin armadillo! I will put cayenne pepper around the base of the plants. Works most of the time. Depends how hungry he is I guess. Thanks for the other options of repellent.

[@wigglywoo8899]

I'm going to try spraying again this year, and do it weekly like you mention. I sprayed a few times last year, but it wasn't with the fogging pump...just a regular sprayer that shoots soaking bits. Didn't coat plants well, but I did perimeter too. I didn't do it often enough, so the deer decimated my perennial garden ...all deer resistant plants of course. 🙄 They loved the coral bells, lilies, and coneflower leaves. Coreopsis as well. I even put out a thing that makes high pitch sound that supposedly deters critters....nope. We have a driveway alert that dings inside when someone passes on the way up driveway....they come through nightly, and pass our front yard (and perennial garden 😭) on the way through to our neighbors house. Honestly not sure anything will help, but I'm willing to try. I snapped a photo last year of triplet fawns in backyard eating my young tomato plants. Between deer and rabbits, we're lucky to have a few plants.

[@kellikavanaugh2165]

I started making my own repellent because store bought is so expensive. I use essential oils, a combination of rosemary, cinnamon bark and peppermint with eggs, milk and hot sauce. I mix it up, an sieve it and let it sit in the sun for a day or two then dilute it in the sprayer. I have not had any deer damage since I started- one full season.

[@hortonmonroe9163]

Would you mind giving the formula for your essential oil mix? Thanks.

[@kellikavanaugh2165]

@@hortonmonroe9163 HOMEMADE DEER REPELLENT 2 large eggs 1 ½ cups water ½ cup milk 4 Tablespoons hot sauce 1 Tablespoon dish soap 1 ½ teaspoons rosemary essential oil Alternate between: 1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil 1 teaspoon cinnamon essential oil I have had great success with it. It smells great and is way cheaper than buying name brand stuff.

[@emkn1479]

I used your recipe a few times and it worked (I think..? Who knows the mind of deer.). I used a fine mesh strainer to strain out solids when pouring into my pump sprayer and it didn’t clog for me 🤷‍♀️ I also bought the Deer Stopper 2 and it seems to work. I just noticed a demolished hosta, it’s time to spray again! P.S. I kept thinking you were saying “egg salads” and I sat here with a confused look for a minute 🤦‍♀️

[@kellystinnette8932]

I thought she said egg salads too. Lol

[@renejohnson37]

Me too!

[@AnniePhalange]

Me too!

[@chorton38305]

I never did understand what she said, what was it?

[@emkn1479]

craig horton “Egg solids”is the key ingredient in deer repellant sprays. But she forgot the lovely adjective they use on packaging - “putrescent” 🤢 I let my homemade batch sit a long time and I can attest to that description!

[@kevinterifay9904]

Super attracted to you. Just my first thought after seeing your video. Very genuine vibe you have.

[@christophertaylor9826]

Thank you so much, deer are eating my buttered popcorn daylilies. I will give these products a try. Love and enjoy watching your videos.

[@donnanowik7955]

Just add in a movie to go with that buttered popcorn...Bambi perhaps?

[@deezahm9143]

😄Oh my word, you shaming the deer, and using your dog as a potential "weapon" was as funny as me taking after a hawk, perched on my deck rail, eating the head off a sparrow, and me thinking I can get it with a broom! P.S. My yellow lab was no help either. 😂😂😂

[@jchampagne3609]

I live in northern WI and deer resistant plants is a thing of fantasies 😂😭😭😭 come fall NOTHING is deer resistant 🙃 I use deer stopper currently and I’ve used what I can find at walmart - liquid fence... the liquid fence has worked fine through summer but all bets are off in the fall - have to stay very diligent. 🤞🏻we’ll see how deer stopper does 🤞🏻I also put up physical barriers where I can - they are savages 😂😂😂

[@christinenovack6048]

Northern Wisconsin here too! Worse is neighbors who feed the local deer population. They aren't afraid of my dog or me & stomp their feet at me when I try to chase them out of my yard. Very frustrating!

[@yogagirl949]

My husband will fill the backpack sprayer on an outdoor table. Then he backs into it to slip the shoulder/hip straps on. It’s so heavy he has to lean forward at first to walk!

[@SR98889]

I have high deer pressure in my area, and I use scarecrow water sprinklers. They honestly work great!!! I've used them for the past 4 years and no deer damage.

[@inkagogo]

Sarah, what kind of water sprinkler do you use? Thank you.

[@SR98889]

inkagogo Here’s a link to the exact one I use. If you live in the US, they will probably be cheaper from amazon. www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/contech-scarecrow-animal-deterrent-0593767p.html

[@paulag.panzermd8239]

I can share what has not worked (I live between 2 small pieces of land that belong to my town, so I can’t fence in). We tried hanging old (shiny) CDs - didn’t work. We also tried human hair (not successful). We use deer stopper with some success, and we alternate products. Sadly one missed application and they “seem to know” and leave damage as evidence. Thanks for sharing your strategy.

[@nhunter6506]

Hahaha....I know I feel funny trying to put the loaded back pack sprayer on my back. I use the whole four gallons full I fill it up on my picnic table and then I just back up to it and slip the shoulder straps on.

[@ja-uh9gz]

So funny....you asking the deer to leave, so politely. I do that too, but not so politely...and one or two occasions, dropped an "f" bomb...lol.

[@vlink4071]

We have great success spraying with Bobbex, which is a clear liquid, or the Scarecrow Brand motion detector sprinklers. I am not sure you can still buy them.

[@derrongoodengardenandlifes8655]

I have to deal with squirrels, raccoons and skunks and I thought I had it bad, but deer problems are another level.

[@chines68]

Don't forget the rabbits. And we have box turtles that love our strawberries.

[@kathyastley8045]

Hey you answered all my deer question😏 I have a deer that comes into the yard the edge of the yard upon occasion. I only see tracks. . Has an eaten anything yet and we were thinking about putting some repellent out there to teach him or her to go somewhere else.

[@lovesoil8512]

No idea Repels works for me here in NC mountains. Do have to reapply every 2 weeks to 30 days. 1 year using and so far it’s working. Doesn’t smell real nice but smell goes away within 24 to 36 hours. It’s natural so I am happy with product.

[@carolmoore1797]

I have a motion sensitive sprinkler from Orbitz that seems to work well. Yes, we’ve had quite a few extra showers after forgetting I had them set! I wanted to order another one a couple weeks after I tried the first one and there were none to be found.

[@barbaravanerp4598]

I’ve done that too! And the UPS man gets showers

[@ross-smithfamily6317]

Loving it!! ❤😂❤

[@bluesky7226]

Oh my gosh. That it's how I talk to my deer too! My family thinks I'm silly! Unfortunately deer don't have the same list of deer repellent plants that we do, so it really does depend on your location and the number of deer that come to your yard.

[@NYMusic89563]

Aww that teddy bear 🧸 so cute 💙

[@barbaramccann7944]

I have both Liquid Fence and Bobbex, but have been having success with granular applications of Milorganite and Deer Scram, in northern Michigan. However, I’ve learned I NEED to use the spray on The lilies.

[@orchidgarden3124]

Can you tell me how and where to apply the milorganite? On the grass around the perimeter, around the base of the plants? Michigander here too!

[@barbaramccann7944]

Orchid Garden, I broadcast spread it across large hosta beds. It’s really a fertilizer (so wouldn’t hurt the grass) but seems to help with the deer. I always check for broken/discounted bags at big box stores.

[@orchidgarden3124]

Barbara McCann thank you!

[@mydailybread777]

Hey, just a note to let you know that the deer hate the smell of ivory soap. I hang baggies in my fruit trees and no longer have any deer damage. I learned this little trick from the local Mennonites. They even grate it up and sprinkle it on the perimeter of their gardens. Edited note: I don't recommend spraying soap in liquid form on your plants as it will often kill the leaves. A very watered down mix might work but try it on something you don't care if it dies...or a weed first...ha ha

[@jessicah.4274]

This video cracked me up mostly when you were talking to the deer and remembering my dad fondly and all his choice words he had for them growing up in the country in Central WI with the acres of forest in our backyard...quite the dichotomy there. 😂 Anyway, I don't have deer problems thank goodness but I have a terrible squirrel problem and occasional rabbit problem and interestingly enough just found Squirrel Stopper and Animal Stopper from Messina at Ace Hardware, (which includes rabbits) and both work fabulous! I have tried soo many things for squirrels and this claims to actually keep them from foraging in feeders (although I've never tried that), rainproof and good for 30 days. I use them as barrier sprays and not on the plants themselves as I have found that they actually burn them so if I don't want them in a bed, garden, or pot I just spray the outside of it. I just thought I would throw that out there in case people don't that they make other organically-based similar products.

[@vgil1278]

Those squirrels used to give me apoplexy - they would take each and every fruit from the trees, take one bite(not ripe yet) and throw the fruit on the ground!

[@jessicah.4274]

@@vgil1278 They are so ruthless for sure! I find all kinds of veggies with bites in them on the ground -just recently my peppers. I will have to spray again! They also completely dig out my containers and dig huge holes in the garden to bury walnuts, often destroying seedlings or established veggies/flowers. They are for sure the most destructive of critters in my garden.

[@marilynruggeberg]

I have had the most trouble with Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels, and Raccoons the last couple of years. Last winter I asked my husband if he cut the Raspberries back a little. No he didn't, so I'm guessing the Deer nibbled on it. It was a clean cut. My husband uses live traps to remove the Squirrels, Rabbits and 1 Raccoon from our yard and transplants them to the Country. I have never had them eat my Hostas but something ate my Tulips and a Lily that I just planted last fall. Hadn't Bloomed yet and they ate the flower buds. I use a repellent that is made with coyote urine. I spray it on the ground around the plants I want to protect. It has to be reapplied after every rain which can be quite often in the Spring. 😁

[@Melons-vg8dq]

I use Critter Getter for squirrels. It's a choke trap that dispatches them quickly. Also, birds and cats can't get in

[@dannramirez9]

First time I see one of your videos and loved your raw nature and sense of humor!! Of course, I am now a subscriber as I am a new gardener who has had a Hosta and a hibiscus fall victim to deer (I think). I say I think because I was watching another video, which only had a lady’s voice that sounded like a robot (very annoying), and it said that if your plants have bite marks that are straight cuts, it’s probably not deer because deer don’t have front teeth to cut sharply. The robot said deer tend to pull at plants. My Hibiscus and Hosta literally looked like someone had come with a pair of scissors and cut them. No kidding!! When the Hibiscus was attacked I really thought I had a mean neighbor who was jealous of my beautiful plant and came over to cut it. LOL The Hibiscus had just started to bloom. It had a gorgeous yellow flower. I told my husband it looked like the sun. It was still in a container. When I went out to water it, I couldn’t believe the beautiful flower gone and all the buds were gone!! The stems looked like someone had taken scissors and cut all the buds. HAHAHA. I’m still laughing at myself because I remember looking around wondering which neighbor would have done this. It was just such perfect cuts. With your experience, is that a deer or some other animal I’m dealing with?

[@KM-nq7ez]

I think rabbit make nice perfect cuts.

[@concettaworkman5895]

Loved this video, I planted 3 huge hostas 4 years ago, and last year, they were eaten to the ground. It had to be deer, they are huge. I have clove and cinnamon oil, plus garlic and black pepper, stinky soap. I am going to mix it together, spray it over and under, then throw my urine around the perimeter just for fun. I want to do it cheap. They don't like Asiatic lilies, thank god. They are all in full bloom, glorious, they just love my hostas.

[@lucylafountine9751]

I'll have to disagree....they just ate every bud on my Asiatic and daylilies. Then they destroyed my knockout roses. 😭

[@dtoomey9174]

I have to spray every 7 to 9 days. I have let it go for the winter, which I know I will regret once the snow melts. The deer really do a job on the rhododendron - thought they were poisonous.

[@Winterfell1066]

I just came back from a trip to North Carolina between Bryson City and Asheville (July 2024). The highways are planted with massive stands of Daylilies, yellow and orange blooms mostly. I live in central Mississippi. Deer eat my Daylilies down to the ground. NC has tons of deer and is very rural in many parts of the state. How have all of those mass Daylily beds in the median and sides of the highways not been eaten?

[@staceyfrey2726]

You are so nice about asking the deer to leave your garden! I usually run outside screaming “get the h*ll out of here, you over grown goat” Always I put up new wind chimes this and started using Repells-all and only have been visited by a deer once this spring/ summer

[@daiseegray9110]

Good info as always

[@Rusty-bg2wv]

I have been using Liquid Fence in a spray bottle. It works if I frequently apply it, but hooo boy! Stink-o-rama!

[@ramibu239]

Does it work for opossums too?

[@Cherryparfait41]

Yes, it’s smelly. Success here with it too! Sheer diligence lead to being able to see my limelight hydrangea bloom for the first time in 4 yrs!! Woohoo!!

[@Terri_Stauffer]

Liquid fence works for me too.

[@ross-smithfamily6317]

0:50 The Canadian method of deer control. Love it!! 😂

[@deej9697]

Very informative. Thank you for posting this!!

[@starone38]

Hopefully you do a hydrangeas tour soon ... 😍😍 !!!

[@SueL-mx9vm]

4/10/24. I have been using a half- and-half spray combo for nearly 20 years. I mix 1/4 amount of Liquid Fence and 1/4 amount of Bobbex for 1/2 gallon of product. It covers my 1/2 acre property. I apply it faithfully once a week. Very effective except with the fawn - they taste anything!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Great report! Thank you for sharing that.

[@mariawilde4444]

After doing some research online, I have been trying milorganite this year, and so far, so good. I only apply it to problem plants, so not my entire yard, and I don't seem to need a lot for the deer to smell it. I do have to reapply, but I would say only every 3-4 weeks. (We don't get much rain here.)

[@vivianlott6563]

Wow, good to know..,didn’t realize milorganite did that. I use it as my main fertilizer for my ornamental grasses and on any plants needing iron. Thanks for sharing!

[@tjdrama3808]

Just a little tip. No such thing as “deer resistant plants”. When the deer herds get to big and the winter comes and they get hungry cause of the lack of food, deer will eat the siding off your house if they think it has nutrients in it. The BEST way to keep your garden deer free is to hunt them. I know some of you don’t want to hear that, but if we don’t hunt them they will literally starve to death. They’ll get to a place where their numbers will be to great and they will eat everything until theirs nothing left and they will ALL starve.

[@chines68]

Isn't it kind of funny that so many people are against hunting for food that will be eaten (e.g., deer), but they're having hamburgers for supper through a much crueller system of food obtainment than shooting a deer and field dressing it. My dad was a hunter, as were almost all farmers, and we ate squirrel, rabbit, and birds that he shot. He wasn't a deer hunter, but we obtained deer meat from those who were.

[@maxinemcclurd1288]

@@chines68 I too am from a subsistence hunting family and can't wait for it to be deer season so my son or neighbor or someone who knows my plight will take out the deer currently eating my garden .I can't wait for tenderloin and revenge for my poor plants..

[@celinedavis2189]

That's what my son says.

[@clarechomyn9686]

@maxinemcclurd1288 I agree with you! I look forward to having my son thin the herd. Out of about 800 -900 daylily blooms I saw about 4 this year. I did spray but wasn't fast enough after a heavy rain fall.

[@deborahbarr8501]

I have deer and raccoon problems. Deer eating my garden and the raccoons ripping my pond apart. To try to stop the deer last year I hung up nylons stuffed with my hair all over the garden, tried both ivory and irish spring soap, didn't stop them. This year I have had more problems with raccoons, so purchased from Amazon Nite Guard. It is solar powered, small flashing LED red light that comes on at dusk and goes off at dawn. Needs to be installed at the height of the animal you want to keep out. I have a smaller garden so only installed one by my pond. So far raccoons have stopped their nightly raids and the deer haven't come over to snack on my plants!

[@karinchristensen220]

I wish there was something like that for wood rats. They nip off young plants at the base and use them to line their nests. I found all of my pea plants one year tucked into a space in the wood pile.

[@heatheruiz]

I wonder if any of this works for groundhogs. They are huge digging pests where I live.

[@denisedorsey2889]

Thanks for this! I'm sure you are right about the favorite plants of deer varies from region to region. The in my garden deer don't bother my hostas. They do a number on my roses and daylily buds if I don't spray. They will turn to my hydrangea and even my impatiens in early fall. My success has been with Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit repellent. Tried coyote granules, tried a home made mix, nothing worked. I apply the Liquid Fence weekly in the spring and it seems to almost train the deer to go elsewhere. I then can apply it once every 2 or 3 weeks. Then the fawns come and all bets are off. We start the cycle again. The struggle is real!

[@tracykeelan8534]

Using a paper filter for filtering paint works great to filter out products with egg solids

[@artistinagarden]

"Who you gonna call?.....ERIN!" love the ghostbuster reference in the comments! Do you do garden calls to Ontario,lol? Your garden looks great! Thanks for your time and experience!

[@geoffdavies282]

Entertaining - Well presented. Yes deer are a problem for me too-i change it up as best i can -respray after rain etc - seems to work reasonable well compared to neighbors that don't appear to object to providing a salad bar. Gradually each season the area has fewer flowers/plants to enjoy as the deer population expands. Thank you

[@susanpoore2729]

Try high pitch wind chimes close to your affected plants. I fought deer for years until I added these. No more deer for 3 years now. The chimes also scare my kitty away🤣

[@jmeh2388]

But if it’s not windy? Also then it ruins the quiet peaceful ambience of the garden ?

[@lisamccoy123]

I tried repels al did not help. Moth balls are working. They make me think of my grandma. Lol