Hi dk,
Yes, the grey net fencing works well for me. I, too, have many (65 to be exact) new shrubs and trees and I like deer. However, the deer do not write out the checks for the new plants nor do they get a back ache from planting them. Rather than draping the netting, I tied it to stakes and arbors with garden twine that I had in the garage. This way no leaves or branches are touched and by encircling the plants, the netting actually went farther. Also, just before the snow, I really saturated everything with Deer Off which lasts for several months. Any day the temp reaches 40 degrees, Deer Off or the newer version, Deer Away,(smaller chile and garlic sediment and no clogging) can be sprayed.

A neighbor about 5 acres away is now feeding the neighborhood deer 50 pounds of deer food per night, so I have no guilt and no nibbled shrubs. Keep protecting the shrubs, the deer population in New England is not dwindling.

Kindly,
Jane in CT

I use deer netting, and so far it has been effective. I use the cheaper variety from the big- box stores and treat it as an annual use item. I try to save the material from last year, but it is hard to keep neat and untangled. I put my netting up in late november so the deer know what the limits are prior to winter. I put new netting up around the perimeter of the yard. The netting is supported by stakes or nailed to trees. Last years netting that is usable, I use to drape over shrubs, which serves as a second line of defence.

I don't feel bad about denying the deer forage on my ornamentals. They are wild creatures, and they should be feeding from the wild.

a bird netting "fence" has surrounded my garden for about 5 years now. a turkey and a tree limb have taken it down, but never had a deer problem. the saddest thing is a rat snake that forced its way and tangled and strangled itself. the birds learn to fly over it, it's nearly invisible, and only a few times in winter will i shake it out after a heavy wet snow. i've read that the deer won't jump over it because they can't see the top- mine is only 6 feet high.

Why not try coffee grounds? That is what I have started using a lot of - they had started nibbling at some tulip sprouts but haven't come any closer to them after I sprinkled some coffee grounds around them.

I WISH I had deer! I don't...sigh. But I bought some to keep my dogs off newly seeded lawn. It didn't work, but the fencing has become like duct tape around here. I use it to support my clematis and morning glories. I use it to protect the plants from the dogs who aren't interested in jumping fences just to get to one plant. It also doesn't block the view of the flowers, since I don't have to put it very high. My husband has used small pieces of it for all sorts of things he was doing. When we run out I strongly suspect we will buy another roll. :)

coffee grounds in the dirt and surronding area? doesnt seem to do much for me. Do you put it on the bushes? IS there a trick I am missing

i have just used it to p rotect a very large emerald gaeity euonymous however it becomes entangled on the twigs and impossible to remove....so i've just left it on....doesn't seem to hamper plant and i'm glad i leave it when i see that the protruding branches have been nibbled again....