Deer Deterrent Resources

A Young Deer on the Edge of the Woods
by Grandma Pearl

I love deer!  Their beauty and gentle nature appeals to me.  Every season finds them with a different shade of brown fur; it becomes thicker in the wintertime to help shield them from bitter cold winds and snow; their soulful eyes, large ears and sensitive nose are ever alert to possible danger.

In the spring, the youngest tag along behind the adults in groups of 3 to 5 and more. Feeling frisky, they like to suddenly sprint from a dead stop, with stiff white tails held straight like flags bidding me farewell!  Spring is when I most often see the young bucks with their newly-blossoming antlers covered in soft velvet.

I love deer, but I hate what they can do to a garden in no time flat!  My favorite deterrent is a natural product that I spray on those plants that my deer find most delectable.  The name is 'Deer Off' and it is manufactured by Havahart*.  The ingredients are all natural, which is what I'm all about; and they include eggs, capsaicins and garlic.  This particular deterrent works by not only smelling bad, but tasting bad as well.  A similar product from the same company is Deer Away 5200.

Deer Off II can be applied a lot less often than other deer repellents I have tried.  I usually reapply it after a heavy rain, but other than that, it lasts a long time.  Because it tastes bad, rabbits and squirrels seem to steer clear of my treated flowers and shrubs as well, which is a definite plus.

 Links to help manage deer in suburban gardens can be found at Cornell University's "Deer Defenses" website, and they include:

• Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
• Deer-Resistant Landscape Nursery - Plant list.
• White-tailed Deer 
• Managing White-tailed Deer in Suburban Environments
• Dr. Bridgen's List of Plants that Deer Do Not Like to Eat 
• Deer Repellent List, including *Havahart  deer repellent  

There's lots of greenery in the woods for this young deer to enjoy!
by Grandma Pearl

Grandma Pearl

Easy Steps to Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat
Shop for Barn Wood Bird Houses

Shop For Havahart All Natural Deer Repellent
  

Plant a Climbing Hydrangea Vine to Help Protect Birds

Climbing Hydrangea Vine (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) from urbanext.illinois.edu

My climbing hydrangea vine has come a long way in 3 years!
from Grandma Pearl

Vines Provide Birds With:    

• Food in the form of seeds, berries flowers and nectar, as well as caterpillars and lots of other insects
• Fragrance, which in turn attracts insects
• Shelter from bad weather and hot sun
• Safe Nesting Places
• Nesting Materials
• Vantage Points from which to Watch for Approaching Predators
• Hiding Places from Predators

Climbing Hydrangea Flower Bud
from Grandma Pearl

Climbing Hydrangeas produce fast-growing stems that yield aerial rootlets capable of clinging to almost any surface; this plant is slow to start, but once established it will dazzle you with white lacy blooms and dense green foliage.  Mine has been growing for over 3 years now, and you can see its progress from the 3-foot stick I bought at an Autumn nursery closeout sale!   

A-Frame Shingled Bird House will attract all sorts of songbirds
from Grandma Pearl

This little bird house is mounted on the side of my house among the lovely hydrangea leaves and branches.  It’s just right for most songbirds like chickadees, wrens, sparrows, finches, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers.  This vine will keep the bird house cool and dry while baby birds are growing big and strong.  More than that, it will discourage a whole host of predators from trying to reach the eggs and baby birds.  When it comes time for baby’s first flight, the nearby branches will make great practice landing spots for their first tentative flights.

Climbing Hydrangea Requirements:

• Full sun to part shade
• Rich evenly-moist soil, but will tolerate less than perfect soil conditions
• Thrives in Zones 4-9
• Use organic mulch to retain moisture
• Amend with compost as needed
• If desired, pruning should be done after plant has flowered in the summer
• Provide a sturdy support for this vine, which can reach 60’ to 80’ tall if left unpruned

 I planted my climbing hydrangea on the east side where it receives about 5 hours of morning sunlight a day.  It's the perfect vine for a shaded area, but it will do very well in full sun, too.  The bark of this plant peels and has an interesting texture; and it can be used by birds to weave into their nests.  In addition to the bark, birds will find shelter and nesting opportunities in this versatile and beautiful long-lived climbing vine.

Detail of bark and leaves of Climbing Hydrangea Vine
from Grandma Pearl

Detail of aerial roots that help the plant to cling to surfaces
from Grandma Pearl

 If you wish to prune the plant, do so after it has flowered in the summertime.  It can grow to be 60 to 80 feet in height, and will live happily in cold hardiness zones 4 - 9.  It's not fussy, but does best in moist, well drained rich organic soil.     Butterflies and beneficial bees are attracted to the fragrant creamy white flowers that remind me of Queen Anne’s lace.  

            
Be sure to water your hydrangea vine regularly to encourage deep roots and vigorous stem growth.  Use soil that is rich in organic matter to ensure this vine will be healthy and gorgeous for many years to come.  Amend with organic compost as needed, and cover with mulch to retain moisture.  Since I have access to lots of sawdust, this is my preferred mulching medium.        

Although its stems and rootlets grow quickly, the climbing hydrangea is slow to bloom.  The average time before blooms appear is 4 years.  I expect that next summer this clinging mass of green will be loaded with lots of beautiful and fragrant flowers.  If you have an unsightly concrete or stone wall, or a chain link fence you wish to beautify, this might be the vine for you. Your birds, butterflies and beneficial bees will appreciate this excellent plant.
Grandma Pearl

To Purchase a Climbing Hydrangea Vine:

Climbing Hydrangea Vine
Giant Hydrangea Vine

Top 5 Alternative Lawn Ideas

brick pathway flanked by glorious flower gardens
from:  http://www.ltmuseum.org

If you are tired of mowing lawn every time you have a day off, then you are a prime candidate for an alternative lawn.  If you want to be surrounded by fragrance, beauty, birds, butterflies and beneficial insects, then it's time to consider something other than grass in your yard.  Discover my top 5 alternatives to the plain old boring lawn.

Imagine not having to mow the lawn on your day off!
from Grandma Pearl

What’s your idea of a relaxing day?  In this busy life we lead we need downtime; time to relax and unwind.  I don't know about you, but for me relaxation does not include mowing the lawn!  Although there are people who really do enjoy that activity, this article is not aimed toward them.  This dissertation is , however, intended for those of us who would rather do almost anything other than haul out the old mowing machine, fill it with expensive fuel, and then spend the afternoon in the hot sun going in circles!

Top 5 Alternative Lawn Ideas:

1.       Low growing maintenance-free drought tolerant ground covers

2.       Herbs that are tolerant of foot traffic and drought

3.       Wildflowers with stone pathways

4.       Naturalized bulbs

5.       Flower beds that include old-fashioned fragrant varieties like lily of the valley, roses, etc.

My lily garden is an example of summer bulbs that return to flower year after year.
Learn more about Bulb Gardens as an Alternative Lawn
from Grandma Pearl

With each of these 5 alternative lawns there comes the added bonus of several benefits.  For instance, if you should choose to plant a mixture of herbs, you would find that they are drought resistant, fragrant when stepped on and tolerant of foot traffic.  They need no special fertilizer or any chemicals to help them grow.  In fact, none of my herbs even like fertilizer.  Neglect is something that makes most herbs very happy. 

But the best benefit of all is that they attract butterflies, essential pollinators like honeybees, and birds!  In light of the devastating honey bee colony collapse phenomenon, the more fragrant herbs, flowers and vegetables we plant, the better to help the bees recover.

My Number One Rule:  Use No Toxic Chemical Pesticides or Herbicides!  They are deadly to all life, including us.  Once they enter the ecosystem, they end up in our watersheds.  Look for organic, safe alternatives.  If it contains ingredients you cannot pronounce, do not use it!

Read my Article to Learn All About Alternative Lawns:  Top 5 Alternative Lawns

Using Ground Covers instead of Grass

Plant a Small Wildflower Meadow

Learn about Cut Flower Gardens 

Secrets to a Healthy Backyard

Bird Houses made by American Craftsmen from Antique Barn Wood