Ferns That Are Deer Repellent Plants

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jerry

When people think of plants that keep deer out of the yard, annuals and perennials usually come to mind. Many people do not realize that ferns are on the list of deer repellent plants. These are a great choice for any homeowner who wants to keep the garden pristine without incorporating anything too showy.

Christmas fern is rarely damaged by deer and has the attractive quality of remaining green throughout winter. The fact that the fronds were once used as Christmas decorations gave this fern its name. Attractively-shaped fronds reach two to three feet long and this fern grows in an asymmetric clump.

Another attractive evergreen fern is the holly fern, which grows about 18 to 24 inches tall. It does well in partial to full shade and can also be grown indoors. Known for its thickness, it is able to handle strong coastal breezes and also survives in a saline water supply or salt air. This fern requires regular watering, every few days during extremely hot temperatures.

Cinnamon fern is usually found along shores, stream banks, and in swamps. This deciduous fern grows two to five feet tall in symmetric clumps. Fertile fronds feature a cinnamon color and stand narrow and erect. Ruffled grouse feed on the fiddleheads and the fuzz growing on young fronds is sometimes used by hummingbirds in their nests. With its cinnamon fronds, this fern adds an element of color without being overbearing.

Japanese painted fern is considered one of the showiest ferns, with grey metallic colored fronds that feature hints of blue and red. This fern grows 12 to 18 inches tall and loves partial shade. Symmetric clumps feature fronds with a red center stem, providing an excellent contrast. Gardeners report that Japanese painted fern looks nice grown with hosta, which are not deer resistant plants.

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Some Of The Most Effective Deer Resistant Plants

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Jerry

Agricultural experts sometimes rank landscape plants according to their resistance to damage by deer. Doing so helps consumers find exactly what they need for their yards. Some organizations allow the public to browse deer resistant plants by rating category. Though no plant is deer proof, a plant in the “rarely damaged” category stands the best chance of surviving a visit from a hungry deer.

In this category, consumers will find trees, groundcovers, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and bulbs. Some choose to combine several types of plants within their yard while others opt for an assortment of plants from the same type. The best approach is usually dictated by personal taste, with the goal of making the yard look attractive while at the same time deterring deer.

Someone who does not want to make a long-term commitment may opt for an annual like ageratum or annual vinca. Ageratum gets lovely purple flowers with a puff-like appearance, while annual vinca features pink, purple, or white flowers. These plants will last through one growing season and usually not reappear unless they are planted in areas that experience mild year-round temperatures.

If the desire is to have deer repellent plants return each year, perennials like basket of gold and may apple are great choices. True to its name, basket of gold sports tiny golden-yellow flowers that grow in clusters. May apple plants have white flowers with yellow centers that turn into edible fruits the size of crab apples.

Groundcover deer repellent plants are perfect for gardens with a large square footage. These spread over the area and usually require little to no maintenance. Pachysandra and spotted deadnettle are popular groundcovers that feature attractive leaves but no flowers. Red or dark purple berries grace bearberry groundcovers and lily of the valley gets tiny bell-shaped white flowers that grow on a stem.

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Butterfly Bushes Make Attractive Deer Resistant Plants

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jerry

Some butterfly bushes keep deer away while attracting beautiful butterflies. Their colorful, large, fragrant-smelling flowers attract droves of the delicate winged creatures. The garden will smell nice and serve as a temporary home for many species of butterflies while deer dine elsewhere. Incorporate some varieties of buddleia into the garden and watch the area come alive.

Though buddleia is a shrub, it should be treated like a perennial in cold-winter zones. In the spring, it can be pruned back to live wood, nearly to the ground. In the south, it should be pruned to two feet. This shrub grows quickly and features showy blooms beginning in midsummer and lasting through autumn. Blooms come in shades of purple, white, orange, blue, and pink.

Most of these deer resistant plants will grow well in full sun within zones five through nine. Some types grow to between four and five feet, while others reach between six and eight feet tall. Plants should be spaced four to five feet apart to allow for spreading. These plants range in price from about $8.00 to $30.00 depending on type and pot size.

One very attractive variety that is new for 2011 is Flutterby Petite Blue Heaven, a dwarf plant that grows only two to three feet tall. This plant can be grown in zones five to ten. Due to its compact growth habit, it can serve as a filler plant in a mixed container, a groundcover, or a feature in front of a border.

Buddleia deer repellent plants are both low-water tolerant and low maintenance, so a green thumb is not needed. There are several new styles for 2011, including one with an orange flower called Sweet Marmalade and the dwarf Flutterby Petite Snow White. Since most feature complementary colored flowers, a few of these plants can be incorporated into the same area.

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Making Homemade Deer Repellent For Fruit Trees

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Jerry

Deer like to nibble on fruit trees almost as much as humans love to nibble on the fruit they bear. If the yard contains fruit trees and deer are local to the area, these trees will quickly become a snack for hungry deer. One way to keep deer out of the yard is to install a deer fence. A less expensive method is to make homemade deer repellent and apply it to the trees.

Deer may eat the fruit, leaves, and bark of these trees. When they get to the bark, this may cause the tree to die. Commercial deer repellent often contains chemicals not suitable for application for a fruit tree. Deer repellent recipes that use natural ingredients are safe for these trees and for humans.

One recipe recommended for fruit trees uses two cups of water, eight cloves of garlic, three tablespoons of cayenne pepper, three eggs, two tablespoons of hot sauce. Four ounces of Wilt-Pruf Plant protector may be added to this list. It is used to keep the fruit trees healthy and extend the life of the deer repellent.

The ingredients should be placed in a blender container and blended. Continue blending until the garlic is well-chopped and then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Once per week, spray the fruit trees with this solution. Trees should also be sprayed following a rainstorm because the repellent may be washed away by the rain.

Using deer repellent recipes like this keeps deer from eating the trees and leaves the fruit safe for consumption. Some recipes add a few tablespoons of dish soap to the ingredient list but all ingredients should be safe for the trees. If the proper items are not used, the fruit tree will die and the deer will move on to nibble on other plants.

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Sweet Smelling Deer Resistant Plants

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Jerry

With some deer resistant plants, you can keep deer out of the yard while adding sweet smells to the area. These are attractive, fragrant, and very effective at deterring the four-footed creatures. Deer are not harmed when exposed to these plants. They just prefer to steer clear of them due to the smell or other qualities.

The perennial vine Japanese wisteria is perfect for running along a fence, gazebo, or trellis. Sweet-smelling blooms feature colors like blue-violet, lavender, pink, or white. The flowers start at the base of each stem, blooming in clusters. In full sunshine within U.S. hardiness zones five to nine, Japanese wisteria vines can reach a height of 35 feet.

Thread leaf giant hyssops are perennial herbs with a late bloom and nice aroma. They feature stems that reach 24 inches high and salmon or dark orange flowers with purple calyxes. A minty, sweet smell emits from the attractive flowers and gray-green foliage. Deer stay away but butterflies and hummingbirds love these herbs. These are easy to grow in well drained dry or medium dry soils within hardiness zones five to eight.

Carolina allspice is one of the deer repellent plants that grow well in shade, full sun, or partial sun. It reaches about three to five feet tall within zones five to ten. In April, red or maroon flowers appear and last for a month or two. These flowers feature a delicious strawberry smell, with level of fragrance based on seedling variation and weather conditions.

Geranium plants are attractive and feature fragrant foliage that deters deer. These excellent border or ground cover plants grow about nine to twelve inches tall. Dark pink blooms appear in early summer and the green foliage turns red during the fall. Blooms last for a long time, providing a partial shade to full sun area with months of color.

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Positive And Negative Aspects Of Electronic Deer Repellent

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Jerry

An electronic deer repellent is a scare-type deterrent for deer that wander into the yard. It emits a loud sound and may include visual effects and motion detection. Deer get the message, running from the area to escape the stimulants. This type of deer deterrent has both positive and negative aspects that should be considered before making a purchase.

Some consumers report that electronic deer repellents are effective only for the short-term. Deer sometimes become used to them and may even learn their range. When they realize that no harm comes from these devices, deer may simply ignore them. Even when a device changes sound frequency periodically, deer can become accustomed to it.

A motion-activated device that sprays water is branded under the name Scarecrow. This repellent can be effective because a deer will never enjoy the spray. Other repellents considered “scarecrow” type deterrents feature sound, visual effects, and motion. An auditory repellent that emits a loud sound is not suitable for a residential or suburban area because it will disturb neighbors.

Motion detecting devices sometimes activate a radio but the loud volume can also cause disturbance. Devices that emit high-frequency sounds are sometimes motion-activated. These sounds do not violate noise ordinances and may not be heard by the human ear but deer may become accustomed to them. Strobe or flashing lights are included in some motion-activating devices and these should be used away from the line of sight of neighbors.

Balloons filled with helium are featured in some visual deer repellents. These move when motion is detected or periodically according to a timer. Though they can be effective, they can also be an eyesore in the yard. This is often not an issue for a large property because the electronic deer repellent can be placed around the property border so it is not immediately seen.

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Ornamental Grasses That Repel Deer

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Jerry

Some homeowners prefer the relaxed look of the beach or prairie when they are designing their backyards. They select leafy green plants and ornamental grasses, with a few splashes of color thrown in for good measure. In areas that are inhabited by deer, it is important for them to select grasses that will keep the creatures away, allowing the garden and yard to remain in pristine condition.

Deer repellent plants like ornamental grasses are attractive and effective, while requiring little upkeep. Only occasional weeding, trimming, and a protective mulch cover are necessary to keep the grasses looking nice year after year. Some of these plants are even drought resistant when planted in shady areas.

Blue Fescue is one of the most popular deer resistant plants in the ornamental grass category. It is most commonly found in the northeastern and eastern U.S. Under the proper conditions, it can be used in yards throughout the country. It is best grown in areas containing light shade to full sun, with well-drained soil that is moist. This is a flowering grass, developing light green buds six to ten inches in length.

Feather reed grass and Japanese sweet flat are two other ornamental grasses popular in the northeastern U.S. Purple treeawn, big bluestem, and sideoats grama are available in Texas, while giant reed grass is available in Oregon. Homeowners in North Carolina will find that Japanese silver grass and pink/gulf coast muhly grass are effective at repelling deer.

According to experts, most ornamental grasses are also deer resistant. They are structurally attractive and add an element of movement to the yard. Deer repellent plants like this are perfect for people that do not consider themselves “green thumbs” but still want an attractive yard. They can be incorporated between flowers and plants that deer find attractive, keeping the animals away from the entire area.

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Budget-Friendly Deer Fencing

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Jerry

If homemade deer repellent fails to keep deer from nibbling on plants and flowers, a more substantial repellent method may be needed. Deer fencing prevents deer from entering the yard in the first place. Some deer fencing products are very expensive, making them financially infeasible for budget-constrained homeowners. However, there are also effective deer fences that are wallet-friendly.

De Witt Company makes seven by 100 foot deer fence netting that sells for under $30. The ¾-inch polypropylene mesh net is environmentally safe and is treated to resist UV rays. Simply secure it to poles placed around the perimeter of the yard and the deer should not enter. The material is not an eyesore and will protect the yard without the need to build a wood fence.

A sturdy black deer fence that measures seven by 100 feet is manufactured by Landware and available for just over $100. This plastic two by 2.25 inch square mesh fencing will not corrode or rust and mimics the texture of welded wire or cloth. Each square features knots at all corners and natural light can permeate due to the optimal visibility feature.

These fences can be difficult for children to see, creating the potential for injury. Some parents prefer a safety fence like the Tenax Orange five by 50 foot fence offered by Sentry Secura for under $50. This orange fence features an attractive diamond mesh design and smooth upper and lower borders. Children will easily be able to identify the boundaries of the yard when this fencing is installed.

When deer fencing is used, homeowners can stop collecting deer repellent recipes because these will not be needed. Deer will not enter the yard to get close enough to the precious flowers and plants. Homeowners can reclaim their properties without breaking the bank and the deer can look elsewhere for their next meal.

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Homemade Deer Repellent Comes In Many Forms

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Jerry

To keep deer away from the yard, homeowners can purchase products or make their own. Many commercial products contain the same ingredients used in homemade concoctions. It is much more cost-effective for someone to make homemade deer repellent than purchase products from stores year after year.

When people make the repellent themselves, they know exactly what is in it. This provides peace of mind to anyone who does not want the deer to be harmed. Though a commercial product may be advertised as safe for deer, we never really know if it is. In addition, we may worry about the harm it could cause to our family pets or other creatures like birds or rabbits.

Deer repellent recipes use common ingredients to make a concoction that deer dislike. One popular recipe uses one egg, a half-cup of milk, and one tablespoon each of dish soap and cooking oil. Combine these ingredients and put them into a jug with one gallon of water, then shake to mix. The solution should be sprinkled or sprayed on plants every two weeks or following a heavy rain.

Other repellents take the form of items strung around the yard, such as Lifebuoy or Dial soap hung from trees using a fishing line. Drill a hole in the soap and secure the line to it, then hang a bar from each of the small trees or every three feet on a larger tree. Fabric softener sheets or rags soaked in ammonia can also be hung from tree limbs.

Deer also do not like human hair, moth balls, blood meal, or dried blood. These items can be placed separately or together into a plastic bag with holes, a mesh bag, or old pantyhose and secured about three feet off the ground throughout the yard. When necessary, several of these repellents can be used in conjunction.

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Types Of Electronic Deer Repellent

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Jerry

For years, people have been concocting homemade deer repellent and incorporating deer resistant plants in their gardens to deter the four-footed creatures. Deer repellent recipes include pungent ingredients like garlic, eggs, and hot sauce, which can create quite an odor in the yard. Not to mention the fact that no one wants to eat fruits or vegetables treated with these substances.

Electronic deer repellent is a more modern creation that is proving to be effective. Some electronic products are shaped like poles and inserted into the ground. These deliver volts of electricity that harmlessly repel deer. They are often battery powered and sold in sets that provide coverage to the entire yard, keeping deer away on a year-round basis.

These products sometimes use a scented deer lure to attract deer that have wandered into the yard. When the deer comes near the post to inspect it, the animal receives a gentle static shock intended to condition it to stay out of the yard. The idea is similar to that of an electric fence but there are no wires involved.

Other electronic deer repellent products are designed for placement near the protected areas. They contain a motion sensor that triggers an internal radio and flashing light, designed to scare away the deer. The volume of the radio and duration of light flashing can be adjusted. Some of these are able to sense movement up to 25 feet away and in a 110-degree area, day or night.

Sound, light, balloons, and bait are common things included in an electronic deer repellent. Some motion-activated products spray water at deer entering the area. Others use high-frequency sounds that are effective at deterring deer and do not violate noise ordinances. When homemade deer repellent and deer repellent plants fail, consider installing electronic deer repellent products in the yard.

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