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Planting Under Trees - Part 9Read the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only". « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next » » Cottage_Garden - It's not so scientific -- first one is about knee high and then It's not so scientific -- first one is about knee high and then they are evenly spaced to the top of the post. The wire is pulled more or less taught by hand. Keep in mind though that we are in the country and there is plenty of nice stuff for them to eat -- and lots of room for them to roam. Apparently, the immediate area was heavily overpopulated and so several hundreds of deer were culled (shot) in the past few years to try to bring things into balance. Our local bands are still there but it does seem that there is less pressure for foraging in the general area. Their range is quite wide, and there are seasonal shifts; this seems to explain why they may be a problem in one season more than another. I suspect that putting the fence up before they appear and make their renewed track for the season is a good idea.Barbara Martin -- posted by Cottage_Garden » Marge_Talt - Thanks for the info. Barbara. I agree that your being in open Thanks for the info. Barbara.I agree that your being in open country has a lot to do with the behavior of your local herd. My "local" has been compressed into a much smaller area (wooded) than they occupied when we moved here 20+ years ago. And, there's, of course, no hunting around here - hence no chance for any herd culling. Starvation, disease and autos are the only methods of culling these deer get. One of the factoids Debbie Green passed on to me from her extensive work with the VA wildlife people on the deer problems in Virginia, is that deer will not move on if the food source in their territory disappears - they just starve. They're not migratory by nature, but get a territory and live their lives out in it. I didn't know this, but it helps explain why the overpopulation problems occur. In many other species, overpopulation would lead some of the critters to move on to try to find a new territory - Bambi just stays put, eats everything until its gone and then starves. Years ago, I was totally against any form of deer hunting. But, I've changed my attitude as it seems less cruel to shoot them than to let them slowly starve to death - which they are doing in many areas. Ah, well...deer are now just another of the many challenges faced by the gardener and another opportunity to get creative and also to use a lot of swear words our Mothers didn't teach us:-) Marge
-- posted by Marge_Talt » Cottage_Garden - Marge, I have seen them eat juniper (virginiana) as high as they Marge, I have seen them eat juniper (virginiana) as high as they could reach standing on the snow -- that's not good quality forage. It's not even subsistance. It's desperation. It fills them up a little bit or at least gives them something to do. Barbara Martin The Cottage Garden Editor -- posted by Cottage_Garden » Marge_Talt - Barbara, Those poor guys <b>were</b> hungry. So far my herd Barbara,Those poor guys were hungry. So far my herd has not hit the junipers. I do feel sorry for them, especially when it's been a really bad winter and you can see their ribs sticking out...but, not sorry enough to give them carte blanche to my garden. I'm also really reluctant to start feeding them as it would only encourage more babies and larger herds, etc. With the elimination of preditors and the creation of the kinds of edge of woods environments they like (suburbia) plus the squeezing of their native territory, the poor deer have become a really big problem that I don't see any quick solution for. Sigh... Marge -- posted by Marge_Talt » Daffyclay - Marge, I saw a post to me a few days ago, in reference to Bil Marge,I saw a post to me a few days ago, in reference to Bill Lee. I didn't get back because my server has been kicking me off the net. It is more finicky then the deer. As to Bill Lee, he and I are "old" friends. Bill is into daffodils as bad as I am. He is also the Editor of the American Daffodil Society quarterly Journal. If you are not getting the Journal, you are missing out. Bill publishes some of the best advise about daffodil culture you can fine, written by Daffodils' very best growers, shower, and hybridizers. Often there will be article of international interest and international writers. Bill only has two problems in life, one is that he is a friend of mine, and the other you'll have to figure out. (Everyone has two problems- even you and me.) Clay Higgins, Editor: Clay's Daffodils -- posted by Daffyclay » Daffyclay - Marge, To enter the deer discussion. This weekend I had a co Marge,To enter the deer discussion. This weekend I had a confrontation with the 8-10 point buck that dominates this area. All my deer fence is in except for the last 20 feet. The buck entered my area and seemed to like it inside the fence. I tried to run him off, and all I did was get greated by a lowering of his head. I pelted him with rocks and threw brush at him like throwing a spear. After what seemed like eternity, the buck chose to walk himself out of the property. I hope my deer screen holds. If not, I'm going to supplement it with five foot high wire fence with metal poles from Home Depot. Clay Higgins, Editor: Clay's Daffodils -- posted by Daffyclay » Marge_Talt - Good Grief, Clay - that buck certainly does sound like a dominan Good Grief, Clay - that buck certainly does sound like a dominant force. Do, please, be careful if he comes back into your garden - especially as rutting season is approaching. I have heard tell that bucks can be pretty agressive, and this one sounds like he has lost what fear of man he might have been born with.You might try a hard blast from a hose, if one is handy, next time...but do be careful! I'm so glad you and Bill are already buddies as it just seemed to me that you'd get along like a house afire. I knew he was editor of the Journal. I don't get it as I haven't joined the society....there are just way too many to join for my pocketbook these days:-) But, now I know two people to bug with any daff problems I might have. I can't imagine that being a friend of yours would be a "problem"...so it seems he has only one mystery problem :-) Marge
-- posted by Marge_Talt » Daffyclay - Marge, Of course, the mystery problem is a joke. Bill Lee an Marge,Of course, the mystery problem is a joke. Bill Lee and I both write,therefore the joke. Writers must be nuts, who else would tackle the English language with an attempt to convey to others with a language with so many double meanings and words that sound alike, but are both spelled differently (or alike) and have different meanings. Clay Clay Higgins, Editor: Clay's Daffodils -- posted by Daffyclay » ConnieT - Marge, Thanks for visiting my page. Your photos are just grea Marge,Thanks for visiting my page. Your photos are just great! Wish my garden was that beautiful. It does seem deer are a problem within gardens. On one discussion a fence was mentioned. Deer have quite a leap to them and it would have to be a tall fence and probably not worth the expense. Deer Scare Tactics has a few suggestions that may help detouring the intruders to a new area. Hope this helps. Connie Troutman -- posted by ConnieT » Marge_Talt - Hi Connie, and welcome to Gardening in Shade. With a topic li Hi Connie, and welcome to Gardening in Shade.With a topic like "Wildlife" and the fact that I live with a lot of them, how could I resist? I really enjoyed your articles and am just glad I don't live in moose country! Thanks for the compliment on my garden...it fluctuates, some years one part is really peaking well and other years it's another...wish they would all look their best at the same time. Thanks also for that link. I've heard about that automatic water spray but have doubts about it on this property as I'd need about 5 or 6 of them to cover all entrance points...plus, my resident raccoons would not like it and probably my cats:-) I've used Hinder and it does work, but needs reapplication after every hard rain - ditto Deer Away and any other spray. This year, I've tried some "This 1 Works" and it seems to work, although you have to respray new growth or they get it (I found to my dismay). I really do think fencing is the only permanent answer - and, yes, they can jump 8 to 10 feet with no problem. IMHO, you can use a shorter (6' high) fence if it's solid - like Clay's stockade. They won't jump where they can't see a safe landing area. It seems to me that deer are going to be one of the continuing topics of gardening - like the weather - from now on in....I just don't see a real viable solution out there that is physically and monetarily feasible and doesn't necessitate killing every deer that exists. Much as I get highly provoked at them for munching my favorite plants, I wouldn't want them totally exterminated! Marge -- posted by Marge_Talt « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next » Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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