We moved into our house three years ago this month, and were delighted to find then that the perennial garden started by the former owners was blooming beautifully. Lily of the valley, peonies, Siberian iris, Stargazer lilies—all showing off their blossoms, and some filled with buds that promised more summer splendor. Then the deer took notice, and steadily over the course of a few weeks, the garden looked as though a fire had raged through it. A few bare stalks, some yellowing leaves and the tiny gnawed-at trunks of several saplings were left behind.

This year, at the first signs of sprouts and new foliage, we started spraying once a week with Liquid Fence, a deer and rabbit repellant (liquidfence.com). And so far, Bambi and company have stayed away (perhaps two nibbles, but that’s all). The product smells awful when you apply it; after all, it’s made with “putrescent egg solids” and garlic. But the odor subsides quickly and the rain doesn’t seem to diminish its effectiveness. The premixed solution is pricey—about $25 a gallon online, and a little more at our local hardware store—but that amount is enough for over a month of spraying. And it kept over the winter in the garage.

Posted by George Kimmerling, Managing Editor

ShareThis