Deer deterrent back up choices
Any system that
helps to deter deer could use a back up.
One such method I've been
thinking of lately is a field of marigold flowers also known as Calendula
Officinalis.
California poppies, bleeding
hearts, calla lilies, and corn poppies all have been reported to help
keep deer out of your garden.
It should be noted that just
because a deer doesn't like something doesn't mean he or she will never
partake of its forbidden flavor. Deer do seem to shy away from marigold
flower smells, but if times are desperate they just might nibble on
whatever they can get. It's these times that require some mechanical
help in the form of a noise and motion
contraption.
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Image credit goes to Wikipedia user Fanghong for the nice picture of Marigolds in a field.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CalendulaOfficinalis.jpg
Master gardener Donna Williamson has had luck with a different type of Marigold from South America called the Tagetes minuta.
It grows up to 6 feet tall and spreads fast, so it might take over if not contained. You should also check to make sure it's not an invasive species for your area.
I think the marigolds (or deterrent plants) would have to overwhelm the good smells from the garden to be effective. I plant marigolds in my tomatoes but more as a bug deterrent.
Have you thought about installing the dogs coop deterrent in those high traffic areas? You could hook it up for a short time then rotate to a different location leaving the wire.
Also we used the heavy fishing line idea that someone suggested here. Works pretty good. The only real problem being restringing after something gets into it. Just be sure to anchor it well so that it breaks and doesn't tangle around the animal.
Just more levels of uncomfortableness is what it is all about.
Mark was actually just talking about plugging up the K-9 electric fence in a few trouble spots, maybe baiting the wire with peanut butter the way some people do for horses to train the animals fast.
I tried fishing line on my first garden, with no luck --- but that was in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia where the deer pressure is phenomenal.