Oh, deer, let's see ... electric fence baited with peanut butter, Milorganite, Liquid Fence, Plantskydd, one German shepherd dog, reel to reel computer tape, sheets of Bounce, bags of Irish Spring, a bow and arrow, one homemade spray plus running and screaming at them. I try to keep them guessing ... makes it fun for both of us!

I have a 5 foot fence around my original vegetable garden and they don't bother it. My new vegetable garden has about a 4 1/2 foot fence around it and they jump it no problem. The new garden is further from the house also.

In my flower beds in the fall I cage any azaleas, japanese maples, rhododendrums, things I know they will eat over winter. In the spring I cover tulips, and crocus with wire baskets (hanging moss basket frames), tomatoe cages, little windmills and even strung clear fishing line between and around trees in the woodland garden. My husband uses a sling shot to try and scare them off.

Its so aggrevating when they get something that I wait all year for.

Shirley

Deer--love 'em, hate 'em!
Liquid Fence applied regularly helps.
I stopped veggie gardening--partly because the trees eventually made the garden area too shady but also because of the deer. I used fishline and also blood meal but we know that the only thing that'll keep the deer out are fences, preferrably 6 footers!

They destroyed my largest tulip bed last Spring, eating about 1/3 of the plants. Then I got Liquid Fence and used it all summer and Fall, with great results.
I'll make sure I get out there Early--as soon as the bulbs sprout and start using it right away.

I have a 6' fence around the veggie garden--they've never been in it. None of the flowerbeds are fenced. I spray with Deer Out, which is much cheaper on the net than at the store. A gallon cost me about $80, and I've used it for 2 growing seasons; it's down to about 1/3. You dilute it 10:1, and spray new growth. Water doesn't affect it; it smells like peppermint, and works great if you don't forget to get out there once a week or so. I only spray what I know they might eat, i.e., hosta, phlox, astilbe, lillies, you know.

Denise and Shirley, I adore tulips, but simply won't buy them anymore. I switched to daffys, grape hyacinth, pushkinya, glory of the snow, hyacinths, and I'm satisfied.

Elvis
I only have a few select bunches of tulips. Otherwise, I have daffodils, and the same as you. Scilla is something that does super well for me. The deer do eat my crocus too.
The past two years I have been having trouble with turkeys getting into my veggie gardens. The garden I have the most trouble with is far from the house behind a chunk of woods. My husband also has a salt lick for the deer in the woods close to that garden. Its a no win situation.

Shirley

Wild turkeys? Set a clandestine trap and ship the carcasses to me (after field dressing). I'll take care of those little suckers for ya :0

Con.

Oh, you mean the freezer hogs (no room for the veges) and the flying pigs? I used to love/hate them when I lived in the south now I just hate them. There's just way to many of them around here. Really bad for driving too. All 5 of our viecles have been in accidents with them including the motercycles and the gater. A deer jumped right on it. Hope I live to see my grandchildren not to mention what they do to the garden. Tall fences, dogs, guns only help a little. Next year I'm going to try the Plantskydd Animal Repellent - Deer, Elk, Moose, Opossum, and Rabbit. I heard about it from heartsease.
Catrina

Darn, the Plantskydd link didn't work. Do you know how to do it Linda?

I am not sure how to post a link in the forum ... does anybody know if that is against advertising rules? Anyway I would just Goggle up Plantskydd and it should be easy to find. I've used it two years now as my November to April deterrent... so far so good.
Linda

Below is a link to Plantskydd. Nobody has found a totally effective deer control method which doesn't come off a bowstring or out the muzzle of a firearm!

Martin

Here is a link that might be useful: Plantskydd

I am contemplating putting one of those motion sensor sprinklers in the garden hoping it will scare the deer.

Anyone have experience with one?

I had one. It works for a little while, but once they get used to it and realize that it dosen't hurt them they will stand right under it and eat. Yummy, thanks, now I don't have to go down to the pond and get a drink when I'm done.
Catrina

I live in deer central and I keep em'out by planting marigolds around the edges of my garden, seems to do the trick. I buy them by the flat at our High School, reasonalbly priced from the FFA club. Works for me - hope this helps. Katie

Katie: I'm soooo glad this works for you. My deer find mg's scrumptious--yum yum. MG's work for some pesty bugs, though--for me.

Con.