Living in Harmony With Deer
Deer fill an important role as brush-cutters in the environment. They help clear the woodland floor of choking cover so new trees can grow. They also reduce undergrowth that provides tinder for wildfires.
The positives for your residential garden are numerous. Deer do a good job of nibbling off sucker growth which shoot up from tree bases and stumps. Their droppings enrich the soil and their browsing can dead head your flowers causing them to produce more flowers. They periodically mow down the volunteer grasses which lessen your need for weed-whacking.
Is there anything more peaceful than observing a deer resting peacefully under a large oak tree? Take some time from your busy schedule and enjoy such a special moment with nature!
Below are listings of sensible plants and repellents that can assist your gardening efforts in deer country.
Homemade Deer Brew
2 old eggs mixed with ½ cup water
2 tbsp. Tabasco or chili pepper
2 cups water
Blend egg and water mixture for 2-3 minutes on high speed. Blend in remaining ingredients and apply with a sprayer. Refrigerate unused portion.
Hanging Bars of Soap
All soaps work equally well, even unscented. Leave the wrappers on so the soap doesn’t melt and attract rodents. Make this an art project and create your own wrappers! Drill holes through the bars and hang them on a tree spaced no more than 3 feet apart, up to a height of six feet.
Human Hair
Put one or two fistfuls of human hair in a length of nylon stocking or mesh. (Freshly washed hair won’t work as well) Space the bags no more than 3 feet apart and replace hair a few times each season. (Your local salon will be happy to provide you with the hair you need)
Other Deterrents
Hanging tinfoil, cans and scarecrows can be effective for a short term use, but deer learn quickly and my return after the initial shock wears off. There is also a product sold at nurseries that comes in a spray bottle which contains mountain lion urine. This works well in areas that have drip systems versus Rain bird systems
Deer-Resistant Plants
Alyssum
Astilbe
Ceanothus
Phelps
Common Lilac
Cotoneaster Lacteus
Darwin barberry
Flowering crab tree
Forsythia
French lavender
Huckleberry
Forget-me-nots
Foxglove
Impatiens oliveri
Monkshood
Oriental poppy
Penstemon
Peony
Ferns
Salvia
Scented geranium
Thyme
Toadflax
Zinnia
Blue hibiscus
Buddleia
Rhododendron
Rockrose
Rosemary
Solanum
Spruce
Tagetes lemmonil
Toyon berry
Wilson Holly
Dutch iris
Juniper
Lantana
Montevidensis
Lavender
Leucothoe
Mexican bush sage
Epimedium
Rose campion
Olive
Rosemary
Snapdragon
Tulip
Potentilla
Purple hop bush
Bearded Iris
Bleeding heart
Blue marguerite
California poppy
Coreopsis
Daffodils
Dame’s rocket
Delphinium
Italian stone pine
Aloe
Artichoke
Bamboo
Dead nettle
Dill
English Ivy
Rock cress
Lamb’s ears
Mint
Shasta daisy
Tansy
Yarrow
Favorite Deer Muchies
Anemone
Hydrangea
Periwinkle
Crucifers
Tomato
Violets
Hosta
Chrysanthemum
Crabapple
Stock
English Ivy
Geum
Candytuft
Coral bells
Roses
Daylily
Gardenia
Wallflower
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(530) 889-5822
PO Box 1699
Loomis, Ca. 95650
Please Note: Our license requires that our rescue facility is not open to the public since our goal is to rehabilitate the fawns and release them to the wild with as little human contact as possible.
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