You are looking at a picture of my tulips. Yes those are tulips. Tulips that have been eaten all the way to the ground, buds, stems, leaves and all. ALL of my tulips with the exception of 4 or 5 plants in a different spot. The deer last year had the courtesy to allow us to enjoy the tulips for a week or two before eating them all. I appreciated their politeness. I got to enjoy pretty flowers, they had a yummy snack. This year their blatant disrespect has gotten my attention.
Andy has actually already been having anxiety about our garden expansion and the deer. We have seen signs of deer in our empty garden but during the season we never noticed the presence of their ravenous appetite. The current garden location is against the house and a fence tucked in a corner. There is only one way in and out so it has been harder for deer to just happen upon the garden. Our biggest thief last Summer were the squirrels. The new garden is much more exposed, the deer will wander by it and who knows what will happen.
We have deer scram ready to sprinkle. I have planned to plant borage in the borders of our beds. I read about one gardener in Organic Gardening who always plants borage because it seems to deter deer. With my long hair I have a plentiful supply of hair from my brush that we can place in the garden. Supposedly the scent of humans via our hair helps to deter deer also. However this method seems a bit hokey to me and makes me feel silly. Short of sitting outside in the dark with a shotgun we are preparing and planning our defenses. I expect some grazing from the deer however if the ominous tale of our tulips are any foreshadowing of what to expect this Summer the deer should watch their backs.
Deer love tulips. Let me know if you find a solution that works. My biggest garden pests are moles/voles. They suck all my plants underground.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you sound serious!
ReplyDeleteBut that must be annoying to put in all the hard work and not get to enjoy it! Are you going to become a master gardener? I worked with a lady at the bakery who just got hers.
I actually would love to become a Master Gardener. I need to actually figure out the requirements and if I have the time right now.
ReplyDeleteWe have moles too, and I hate them just as equally. We have found new hills this week but luckily they aren't near the garden yet. Unluckily though we still have them.