They came back….

oursteelers 8B PNW

last year

I think i’m gonna have a psychotic break…..

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Ana C 6b Ontario

last year

So sorry, for whatever is worth I completely understand the frustration. We live by a creek in a semi urban area and deer used to pass by regularly. Our back yard is a ravine and they see that semi wilderness as the perfect nursery, often leaving babies behind for the day. They would sample or eat my plants almost indiscriminately. What worked was this black plastic mesh fence. I set it up around a large area at the front of the house, allowing for a flap to let me in. I understand that it works because they can't see it too well (it's hard to tell where it ends) so they don't jump over. I had it for a few years now and it worked (except for that time when I left the flap open..). It's not ideal but not very noticeable either, so perhaps it will help. I got the mesh, stakes, and plastic ties from a hardware store

Comments (89)

Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
Diane, do you need to re-spray after rains?
oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
Diane I try to do a rotation of Deer Off, Liquid Fence and Plantskydd since they seem to get used to stuff.

Someone on Instagram also recommended a homemade spray which I also threw into the mix this year.

Part of the problem (I think) is that our rain continued until pretty much the day before yesterday. Nothing lasted. Usually I get hit once early in the season and they do more of a mix of plants.

This year they are particularly focused on roses and have done way more damage.
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Okay...it looks like he replaced the old mechanism (the type I was describing with a float ball) with a newer model, which is a good thing, and that you also have a new flapper (the red thing). The height of that gray and black portion of the valve can be adjusted to get the water to come up to the correct level in the tank, and it's possible your husband did not do that correctly when he installed it. Do you see that black plastic vertical rod that connects the top of the valve to the black and gray part that floats? If you rotate that, it should adjust the position of the float up and down. You will likely want that floating part to be positioned lower, which you can do by trial and error. Here's is how to do it: turn the water back on and let the tank fill and see where the water stops in relation to the water line. If it is higher than the water line, turn the top of the rod a couple of turns (probably counterclockwise) so that the float goes deeper into the water. Then flush again and see where the water rises to. It may take a couple of these adjustments to get it to stop right at the water line. After you do that, post back and tell me what's happening and whether it's still hissing or running. Then I will give you some more advice. (I should note that if you can't get the water to the correct height with the adjustment rod, or you turn it as far as you can and it won't go any further, there is another adjustment that can be made to lower the entire valve, which also may not have been done right when it was installed. This is a bit harder to do and you may want to task your husband-plumber with this when he returns.) Below is a link to a 6 minute video of how these valves are installed and adjusted. Most of it shows how to make this installation from scratch, which has already been done, but watching this will give you a good idea of how everything works and how the adjustments are done: Toilet Valve replacement As for the water level in the bowl, if it is not a problem with any of the other toilets, then it is unlikely to be a root problem. It's either: 1) that this is the way this old toilet works now or was designed to work originally, or 2) that there is some type of partial clog nearby that only involves this toilet. (I once had a problem like that with a toilet that previously had been efficient and it turned out someone had flushed a popsicle stick down the toilet and it was partially blocking the outlet.)
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They are really gorgeous looking! You must be so happy with them - love the Christmas Tree hosta! Very nice photos, Dedez! High Society has stunning colour - sure hope mine looks that good!
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That has happened to all of us. But you know what? Sometimes you end up buying your very favorite plants that way. To me, what's worse is when you DO keep the promise to yourself not to buy a single thing….then, 6 or 8 months later you're saying, "I wish I had bought that beautiful Sans Whitney when I saw it. I haven't seen another one that good since. Why didn't I buy it???" Regret -- it's even worse than guilt when it comes to plants!
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That's drastic. Overly drastic. Not to mention something you shouldn't do at once because P is very slow to perk down anyway, and creating a very high P zone at the top of the soil is a bad idea (it'll create a zone where the roots are somewhat blocked from absorbing other nutrients that P antagonizes). Fortunately, due to the pH issue I mention below, this problem never really materializes easily in your soil. I never recommend slamming a soil all at once anyway. It creates the aforementioned zones, which aren't great for the plants, and the microbes in the soil aren't thrilled about it either. Given that your pH is quite high as well, I'd also set your optimal P levels rather high to begin with; P availability is extremely limited at high pH. So personally? I'd target the high range. First off, I'm going to assume that Texas A&M soil tests are OK, I have no direct experience with them (I read Logan for the most part). No, seriously, you'd be surprised and head-to-head test comparisons with known samples varied widely between labs. My mentor used to have a cat about this. Fortunately, P levels are pretty flexible if high and P has to be sky-high to be a major issue. You can use triple superphosphate if you like. You can also use any good starter fertilizer and feed the lawn at the same time--just make sure the first and second numbers are much larger than the third, although potassium isn't one of those nutrients one has to be overly concerned about, either (and if you look at the magnitudes on the graph, we're moving from 4 to about 60 on P, which would move you from 312 to 370 or so on K...not really a noticeable change if we used a high-K fertilizer as well). Personally, I'd go with the starter. It's cheaper overall, will serve two purposes at once, and can be tossed in your spreader and used like any other fertilizer so the hassle quotient is so much lower. Just look for something like 20-27-5 (Scott's brand is around that, but I wouldn't pay for Scott's, any off brand is just as good) so you get a good dose of N (20) and P (27) without paying for K (5) that you don't really require. But if it turns out to be something like (for example) 15-25-15, that's just fine, too. N's good, P's high, and K isn't outrageous. Follow the bag settings. But ask here if you have any questions whatsoever! Zoysia likes between 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen over the growing season, tapped out pretty regularly when it's warm like any other warm-season grass. So once it's fully back, feed it nicely at bag rate, which should target around 0.8 pounds N (most starter fertilizers do). Then about a quarter way through the season, do it again. At the halfway point, do it again. At the three-quarters point, do it for the last time. You're done. You just applied 2.4 pounds of N, and about 3 pounds of phosphoric acid equivalent (about 0.85 pounds elemental P equivalent) for most starters (but again, let us know the bag rates and we'll translate that). You'll want to re-test next year to see how it's coming along (probably not that well, given the perk-down time on P) and keep going, but over a couple-three years, it'll be along. This is not a fast process. Now, then. I note that none of the minor elements were tested but that you seem good on all other major elements (congrats on that, BTW). Higher-pH soils frequently bind up iron something fierce, so if your zoysia seems light green and disappointing, or, worse, yellow, iron might be to blame. Just something to keep in mind.
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oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
Magpie, the sprays say water proof but absolutely not true. A light sprinkle is fine but a true rain? Can’t stand up to it.
Diane Brakefield
last year
Sprays are not waterproof, but they are still effective after light rain here. Diane
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
Oursteelers , about 6 am 4 deers came walking down the street ( probably signing do wa ditty ditty dumb Ditty do) my blood ran cold and I went in to fight mode. I wasnt letting them even cross the street. It was awfully early but I didnt care. Those rose eaters were not coming here. I need a big weapon, maybe a rake and I have no problem running down the street in jammies shaking my rake and screeching like some kind of a nut.

Fortunately for the serenity of the neighborhood, they didnt even look my way. They must have heard from previous herds that there is an over reacting , jammie clad, rake shaking, deer loathing woman who will go a little crazy if you so much as look at her yard.

They hot hoofed it out of my neighborhood before I coukd wven get out of the door.

On to the next unlucky victims .
Feiy (PNWZ8b/9a)
last year
Your vivid description is so funny, Kristine. I used to do something like that just for rabbits. At 3am I chased a fat rabbit from my front yard across a whole block until escaped into someone else's yard. We gardeners really do crazy things to protect our favorite plants even if we totally lose our image. 😆
Diane Brakefield
last year
I embarrass my entire family and alarm the neighbors by chasing deer and barking at them like an enraged dog; and of course, there is the hose sprayer if handy that I chase them with. Whistles and bells work, too. Rabbits aren't a pest here, but I have chased raccoons at 1 am with a broom and sprayer, driving them out of a tree, one by one, until the whole group skedaddled. Of course, lots of noise was essential, but I tripped on the kids swing and nearly broke an ankle. It was worth it. Diane
berrypiez6b
last year
last modified: last year
This morning there was another tell tale cigarette butt in the middle of the backyard flower bed on a bare patch of dirt. Amara and I might go out for some midnight strolls until I can get some surveillance.

Feiy Lo (PNWZ8b) and Kristine, could you come over and bring your rake ?
oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
I also chase animals away, waving my arms madly while in my pj’s😬🤦🏻‍♀️
oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
Amara is just so beautiful, such striking color!
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
last year
Sorry to hear about your deer issues. I will for sure have problems as I build my flower beds out further from the house as we have deer in the fields and drinking from the ponds at night. I'm thinking of putting up a permanent greenhouse out on an acre of field and making my main veggie gardens and rose gardens out there. Since my livestock guardian dog is so good at keeping everything out of the goat and pig pastures. I plan to get another one and keep in in the garden/greenhouse area which will be surrounded with hot wire to keep the dog from roaming. Dog will protect garden from deer, raccoons, rabbits, etc. The only problem with this plan is livestock guardians also like to dig big holes then sleep in them, so the flowerbeds might have to be raised beds lol..we will see if it works lol.
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
@sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish) I had to give up on one of my flower beds because my dog decided to do the same, constantly dig into it and then lay in the hole. It must be nice and cool on her belly or something. Rabbits have also been doing the same in my front yard beds. They have become very comfortable around us because they get totally prostrate in their little dug beds, I didn't even know bunnies slept/relaxed in that position until this year. It's so cute to see them lounge about. For whatever reason I have never has a problem with them eating anything, so in my garden they're just a joy.

The garden menace herself:
portlandmysteryrose
last year
What an adorable menace! Carol
rosecanadian
last year
Kristine - a woman who would do anything for her roses!! I would do the exact same thing!! So funny about the singing. :)

Feiy - good going!!! I love how we are all in accord...do whatever we have to in order to save our roses! :)

Diane - those raccoons didn't stand a chance. :)

Oursteelers - we should rename our rose forum to the pajamas and roses site. :) :)

Berrypie - that's scary...maybe someone is stalking you. Please be safe. Good thing you have Amara.

Magpie - that's so good for you that the rabbits leave everything alone. Do you have a lot of clover for them? Such a beautiful dog!
berrypiez6b
last year
last modified: last year
rosecanadian I put word out in the neighborhood I walk a 75 pound Bullydog in my back yard at all hours. Amara walks like a little delicate ballerina but her bark alone could knock someone backward. She is so stealthy I trip over her all the time. She's lightning fast and virtually invisible in the dark , so if anyone is foolish enough to persist in trespassing, they better be ready to get jumped on and their face licked- I didn't divulged the dog kisses part.
portlandmysteryrose
last year
@berrypiez6b Amara is a beautiful “watchdog”! We have a big love sponge dog alarm with a booming bark, too. She is a dig-dig and burrow pup like Magpie’s “garden menace”. Hence, the 4’ tall Lowes metal fencing around all my beds!
berrypiez6b
last year
last modified: last year
portlandmysteryrose I think Kitty could use a dog like yours to dig-dig for her right now.

There is nothing like having a dog in the home !
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
last modified: last year
@berrypiez6b That's so cute about Amara's ballerina feet. My brother used to have a Pitbull/Staffordshire terrier and we called him "dainty paws" for the same reason. It's an endearing quality, isn't it? My dog is less ballerina and more breakdancer, lol.

@portlandmysteryrose Does your dog also like to dig and burrow in the snow? A favorite seasonal pastime of my pup.

@rosecanadian We do have a big patch of clover that we leave until the blooms are totally spent, then we mow it. But it's been mown for a week or more now and they still hang out here. We also have a few bird families who return every day to forage in the garden, drink and take a bath. So cute to watch the big babies follow their parents around with noisy, open expectant beaks.
berrypiez6b
last year
last modified: last year
Mischievous Magpie

Reading nature stories here is so much more interesting and healthier than following the news, My son keeps me informed what's going on in the world, it can all pass me by.
portlandmysteryrose
last year
@Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b) I used to have a Samoyed who was a total snow caver!
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
@berrypiez6b Well here's a heartwarming story for you then (in my opinion). It's not nature related but here goes a short version: My son loves books and stories but has a very hard time sitting still or keeping a million things from going through his mind and body at any time. So sometimes books are hard for him to get through on his own. During a LONG road trip we took earlier in the year, I decided I'd try getting him some audiobooks in hopes that they would help him sit through the drive. He instantly fell very in love with the first audiobook we tried. We listened to the 8 hour story 4 times during the trip, and he's still listening to it again at home. Well he decided to write a letter to the author, and so did I. Turns out the author took the time to write back and told me that it was his debut book and my son's letter was the first piece of fanmail that a kid had written him, and it was very meaningful to him. I relayed this to my son, who threw his arms around me and went to bed floating on cloud 9 tonight. And I just cried because it's everything to me, as his mom, not just to have found something that has really impacted my son's life (a serious newfound love of books in audio format, which allows him to focus on the story while he moves and fidgets) but to have the author of his favorite book take the time to write back and make him feel so incredibly special. And to know that his story and his letter moved the author as well... I mean beautiful moments like these are what get us through this life, right?
portlandmysteryrose
last year
last modified: last year
As a parent and a former language arts and special ed teacher, your story made my night! 😊❤️
berrypiez6b
last year
last modified: last year
So incredibly wonderful Mischievous Magpie ! what is the title of the book ? That was a great bed time story for us.

Some things turn out to be life changing. I think the pivotal moments are when God's unseen hand is more visible among and through us.
rosecanadian
last year
Berrypie - yes, I'm very glad you have Amara to watch your back. :) Yes, I get the condensed news from my husband. :) This is much better for us.

Magpie - strange, isn't it, that they leave your garden alone. But I'm really glad they do :) Oh, thank you for sharing that with us!! A new author and a new listener...and they were united through you. That was a great idea to write to the author. :) :)
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
last year
I'm another crazy lady chasing a moose off my garden in Alaska. The moose turned and charged me as I slipped on gravel in my crocs. I was lucky it stopped and thought I wasn't worth it thankfully.
Diane Brakefield
last year
Two, days, ago I chased the largest male mule deer I've eve seen out of my yard. He had a huge rack of antlers. Luckily, he ran down the hill, as I yelled at him. Sheila, I thought later that guy could has easily charged me. I've been chasing, screaming at, barking at, at squirting water at, deer for about 18 years now. I'm so glad that moose stopped charging you, Sheila. Those guys are so dangerous. We still have them in Idaho, and every so often they wander down into civilization. Diane
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
Yes, moose and elk aren't to be messed with. And yet it feels like some tourists come to Colorado every year specifically to get too close to the elk and get charged. Sigh 🙄
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
You guys/gals need to invest in some BB guns
Diane Brakefield
last year
Oh, right--totally illegal here, plus I don't have time to even pick up a hose when I'm chasing deer. Diane
sautesmom Sacramento
last year
I spent the entire month of May hosing the squirrels out of my mulberry tree. Still got most of my crop, but it was very satisfactory to see them dripping wet.

Carla in Sac
rosecanadian
last year
Yikes, Sheila and Diane! Moose are totally scary...they are so dangerous. I admit I would try to chase off deer (totally dangerous too, I know.)...but a moose? No way. I'm glad the moose left you alone, Sheila. Scary!
Diane Brakefield
last year
Carla, I got lots of satisfaction spraying my jet setting and swinging a broom at a family of raccoons that I chased off. That was several years ago, and they haven't been back. I was verrry scary. I'm sorry you lost so much of your crop. There are so many things I can't grow because of the huge number of quail roaming our yard and out on the slope. And Carol, I can't imagine confronting a moose. Sheila, the brave is lucky to be alive. Diane
rosecanadian
last year
Diane - I totally agree. Very lucky.
FrozeBudd_z3/4
last year
last modified: last year
Guaranteed that moose will get my fruit trees if not protected for winter, deer same thing, though deer are a constant battle year round. To great effect, I use the ScareCrow sprinklers, though these can be fidgety devices to trigger when you turn them on. They also require careful placement, taller plants that sway in the wind should not be in their direct line of "vision", otherwise they repeatedly fire off and needlessly drain the batteries. I also use scent deterrents and "something else" (some of you would hiss, lol) to make it very clear to the deer that my yard is NOT their buffet! On several occasions, deer have frantically RUN through my yard and snorting as if a pack of wolves is on their tails ... I think these are the ones that have gotten the message that Terry means business and they're not welcome here! LOL.
sautesmom Sacramento
last year
So I came out to this today.

My Double Delight nectarines were just getting ripe.

Every.

Single.

Nectarines.

If I ate meat, I'd be having squirrel stew for dinner.

Carla in Sac
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
last year
Ouch. I'm sorry sautesmom, that is so frustrating.

Something ate all my currants as soon as they started turning color. I haven't caught anything in the act but all the currants have disappeared 😒
oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
Oh Carla. The waste is just AGGRAVATING!
rosecanadian
last year
Carla - how maddening!! I can hardly stand it for you.

Magpie - you too? Darn these critters!
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
Carla, I am so sorry!! Wbat a horrible waste. Instead of consuming 1 and leaving the rest in tack they take a bite out of each one and ruin them all

That just makes me sick

What a horrible waste!
Diane Brakefield
last year
Carla, I'm so sorry. As others have written, the waste makes it so much worse. Deer do the very same thing. Pick a tomato, whether ripe or green, leave teeth marks and maybe eat one bite, then drop it on the ground. One of the reasons I quit growing pumpkins was that as our deer problem worsened, the deer began attempting to chomp the pumpkins. They never even got through the hard pumpkin shells, but damage was their game. I now see that squirrels are in on the damage thing, too. I'm so glad they haven't hung around here. Diane
FrozeBudd_z3/4
last year
On the farm we experienced so very little damage from deer, seldom if ever would they touch the garden, being surrounded by grain and hay fields meant deer had a very abundant food supply. In those earlier years, our veggie garden was always tucked in different locations here or there at the edge of one of our field crops where dad said the soil was especially very good and surprisingly, the deer wouldn't even bother going after our carrots, peas, beans and whatnot! Fruit trees within the yard were occasionally winter grazed and those I'd hang pie plates to deter deer, moose and partridges, the latter would strip off every last dormant fruit bud on apple trees, a partridge in a pear or apple tree merrily sitting away isn't a good thing! Been at the new place now for 15 years, one set within the forest with CONSTANT battles with deer that we'd have nothing left if not for the ceaseless fight, yes I've succeeded, though exhausting to never drop one's guard momentarily for the buggers lurking in the forest just down the slope waiting and watching for their opportunity! I had done extensive tree felling in prep for a tall game fence that has not yet been constructed, now that sure would have made for a peaceful nights rest and getaways free of worry!
rosecanadian
last year
Frozebudd - that sounds exhausting! That fence sounds like a great idea. :)
Markay MD-Zone 7A (8A on new map)
last year
As much as I hatd my JBs, at least I grt the satisfaction of killing a bunch if them everyday. I am so sorry about your deer damage!
FrozeBudd_z3/4
last year
Rosecanadian, for sure it's exhausting always being on alert, at least the ScareCrow Sprinklers do a pretty good job protecting the vulnerable veggie garden. I don't like the deer and they know it, just seen one at the driveway 100 ft from the house, standing frozen still leerily staring towards the house, I need only open the front door and off it was in a flash, ahhhh I have them so well trained, LOL, LOL. The fence will get built in the years to come if I stay here, but New Zealand is calling, 15 C average winter daytime highs with year round gentle growing, roses and alstroemeria galore, I think it's an easy choice over our near endless winters and very unpredictable short summers, this current growing season being all too cool and WET!
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
So I had a deer visit last night and it ate about 40, yes 40, buds of All My Loving that were about ready to bloom. It was set to be the best display of its life - by far. Also maybe 100 buds of Hope for Humanity, 20-30 of Winnipeg Parks and 50 Morden Blush. I am most sad about AML. I am gutted today. Geez. Not sure how I’ll get any work done . ugh
oursteelers 8B PNW
Original Author
last year
I’m SO sorry. It is debilitating when you come out in the morning and that is what greets you :(
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
Almost completely cleaned out. My roses had been 'resting' for a few weeks and gearing up for fabulous displays. Then in the blink of an eye - gone. Makes me wonder why I even do this.
rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
last year
I read this discussion shortly after it was first created. Yet this is now the second time I’ve seen the title and thought it was about roses which appeared dead, yet miraculously recovered.

“They”, as used in this title, suggests the OP was inspired by the sci-fi classic ”Them!”
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
last year
Oh Clark, I am so sick over your loss. What a horrible thing to have happen. Darn destructive deer.
rosecanadian
last year
FrozeBudd - are you still thinking about moving to New Zealand? :) You do have your deer well trained. :)

Clark - soooo many blooms...just gone. Those wretched deer! I'm really sorry.

They came back….

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