Hi -

I'm guessing that you are looking for a way to keep the deer out of your property and eating your garden? We've grown buckwheat on our property (we have 7+ acres so it's not cost-effective to have a deer fence) and that has kept them occupied enough not to munch on our garden. If that is an option, you may want to grow some on the borders so the deer stay outside your property line.

Otherwise, I'm wondering if you could use rebar for the fence posts. It's cheap, but not pretty to look at.

Rini

I have a couple of suggestions, neither of which is very practical unless you are staying in that house for a good while. First, I got about 100 raspberry canes from a friend who has grown them awhile (they really go nuts and he always has plenty) anyway- he said the deer eat around the patch, but never in it: they won't go through a raspberry wall. I've also read numerous places that a deer won't jump what it can't see over or thru- so maybe plant a raspberry hedge? The other idea is a 4 foot high chicken wire fence, and parallel and 4 feet from it another of the same- I read that the deer won't jump to the middle, thinking they'd be stuck, and can't clear the lot. Then you put your chickens in this long narrow run! The drawback in my area is that the deer will actually push my fence down; but they can see the delicious veg garden, so it is very tempting for them!

Are you dealing with the roebuck, or the Northern whitetail deer?

Whitetail can clear a 16ft fence.

Forget the 'raspberry fence'. Last year the deer ate so many of my tame raspberry canes that I did not have one berry. They also ate the wild blackberry canes...a fence is really the only way to go for a veggie garden. You need a permit for a fence? Yeesh!

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I am dealing with white tail deer. I have a native planting landscape and have decided to erect a 6'deer fence with T-posts. I know the deer can jump the fence, but I'm hoping that they will take the easier route by cutting through someone else's yard. I agree with the raspbery cane story from Elvis; my sister-in-law had those bushes and it didn't deter the deer at all.

I've heard alfafa is another good crop to give deer an alternative to your garden. And a salt block will work wonders.

We had a 2 acre alfalfa field not far from house and gardens (about 50'). Despite the deer walking right next to the garden every evening get to the alfalfa, it took 11 years for them to notice and attack the veggie crops. Don't bother with the salt block.

I know I could find everything I needed for your project at my local recycling center.

Cher

I am in Western Oregon and also looking for deer-proofing options. There are many plants that they don't like. I am consider planting Lavender, Rosemary, etc. about 4 feet outside my garden fence (48" field fence). Am hoping that the long jump and scent to throw them off will help. I don't mind sharing SOME, but for Pete's sake leave a little for me!!

Here's a suggestion:

diagram of electric fence for deer control

I like kathy's electric fence picture. We have roosevelt elk here, and they laugh at fences, they step over them, I know my neighbors have had them inside their yard. I think electric is the way to go, it only takes a rarre reminder to keep them at bay, and it would not be effected very much by the wind. You can also plant clover... LOTS of clover away from the garden. And as far as cost, try to look at it this way... how much is that ruminant costing you in lost food crop?

Posted by: Byron 4a/5b NH (My Page) on Wed, Apr 14, 04 at 9:28
"Whitetail can clear a 16ft fence."

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Where did you get that bit of information from?? I believe it is incorrect. Here are several links stating that 8 to 9 feet is the maximum, which is 50% less then what you mentioned.

http://albertadeer.com/library/articles/general.htm

"The minimum height requirement for the perimeter fence of a deer operation is 9 feet. There are no regulations for interior fences, however 8 feet is necessary to stop deer from jumping the fence. "

http://www.bennersgardens.com/info_deer_deterrents2.asp

"Whitetail deer can make a standing jump as high as 10'. However, in most instances, deer will not risk jumping fences over 8' in height."

Try blood meal around the outside of the garden. They don't like the smell.
It works for most. I also plant extra greens on the outside of the fence for them. They love my green beans and they are cheap.

When all else fails you can buy coyote urine. Do not put it around your garden, put it around your property line. Deer are afraid of being eaten. It does not smell good. But it works when all else fails.