I've had deer predation in my garden this year. A neighbor used to keep a couple hound dogs kenneled next door. A year after the neighbor left, the deer arrived. So, one solution to deer is obviously a big dog or two. I couldn't do that in this location, so I read everything I could find about deterring them. Smell is their weakness. Deer respect male urine as a boundary. Apparently there's a hormone in it which they can smell. Also, all the spray deterrents with good ratings seem to have albumin as the main ingredient. That's egg white. So I mixed up some egg with water and a little dish soap to make it stick. I put it in the sun for a couple days to get good and stinky. In the end, both urine and rotten egg spray were effective. (Urine is much easier) I found tracks for a while with no eating, and now, no tracks either. Have to reapply after rain though. I like the venison solution too, but they never come around during hunting season! Jeff.

Davin, I am definitely a DIY person. Self proclaimed experts who know it all drive me crazy. There are a lot of them out there and I rarely bother with anyone who announces their way is the only way. Over the years I have filled one binder after another with printouts from the net and articles about various ponding methods, products, styles and systems as well as the fish and plants. Many amateurs have good info to share so they are represented as well as the professionals. Even with all the info I have collected, there is always something new to try out or research. Some of the Extension services have good handouts although it is more directed to plants rather than hardware. They are not permitted to endorse products for the most part. The DNR and Universities are good resources too.I try to read reviews when they are available for hardware. Too many products don't live up to the claims and my budget is too limited to waste time and money on them. So far I find the simplest, most basic is the best. Less to go wrong and I don't need a lot of support. If you are running a business to sell hard goods, make sure you know what you have and what the competition has. Be honest with your customers and they will come back. If you over sell top of the line or sell less than what is needed, they won't.

Specifically To: "larryl 7 Southern Oregon"... Your reply was a bit thoughtless regarding your comment referring that 'you built a pond - deal with it' attitude. I am deathly afraid of snakes, just the sight and I go into a panic attack and vomit - all because of just the sight whether it be non-poisonous or poisonous, doesn't matter. Everyone understand having a water garden brings in all types of wildlife...being a lover of ALL animals, including reptiles, I get an emotional attachment to the various creatures that live in my pond. It is obvious snakes have to eat, but I don't necessarily want them to eat from my personal, nurtured pond. You wouldn't want animals eating veggies or flowers from a garden you worked hard at maintaining? So instead of dishing out attitude to those of us that love the pleasure and beauty the ponds and the inhabitants bring to us, try instead giving us useful info, not flippant, sarcastic comments that help no one. This is a forum for us to ask for help and get 'real' advice, not a platform for your opinion. And don't forget, snakes can be a real problem for a lot of people in a lot of different ways.

amy, There are many low budget items (even temporary shelters) that can be used to extend their gardening (or at least their harvesting, which in my opinion is the best part!). Have you considered a PVC or EMT hoop house (very low investment, and it can extend the gardening season 6 weeks or more, depending on how it is used (3 weeks in the early spring and 3 weeks into the fall)? This type of structure could be built in a weekend (with a few hands), and used to warm the soil and protect the plants from wind damage. Also, it can be used to keep the soil from getting drenched in the winter and help to keep the planting areas usable for more time. Also, if your parents are interested in winter greens, the harvest could continue throughout the winter until the spring plants are ready to go. This type of structure can also add in propagating cuttings as well. By protecting them in an unheated but sheltered environment, they will go through far less of the stress that traditional cuttings go through. It can also be used to overwinter perennials. Furthermore, given the area of the veggie bed you are describing, you could actually design it to go over the entire veggie garden, which would open up a world of possibilities. Just a thought. A couple of references to consider for this suggestion: Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman and 12 Month Gardener by Jeff Ashton. (Just something to consider.)