[Qiviut]

I have 9 tomato plants - 3 I planted the middle of April & nursed through a couple of cold spells. They have grown to the top of the tomato cages & then some. About 2 weeks ago, I planted 6 more and they are doing well. It’s rained almost all day, every day starting Tuesday, so I haven’t been out to the garden. When I checked today, two of the three original tomatoes have been severely chomped on and my red bell pepper plant has had almost all the leaves eaten off. Deer, I’m sure. Grrrrrrr.

I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do about it - will throw some netting over it all tonight, but that isn’t a long-term solution unless I do a little construction work. I’ve researched home made deer repellent & might try some of that - here’s a link of what I’ve been looking at: http://www.deer-departed.com/deer-repellent-recipes.html Evidently, the smell of eggs (sulphur) has tested as the most effective in detering deer. We have company coming Sunday through Tuesday morning ... house cleaning & mowing will take up my time tonight/tomorrow and I won’t be able to really do much until they leave, so I hope I can keep the deer off of everything until I can really do something about protecting the plants. Grrrrrrrr (again!).

[greeneyes]

Keep us posted on your progress towards prevention of damage from deer. Many of the gardeners here have issues with deer.

We don’t have those here. Just the squirrels and rabbits. Speaking of which reminds me - we had a dead squirrel splayed out on the side walk.

It was like he was flying through the air and hit the ground with a belly flop, that did no observable damage. Hubby said he has seen them fall out of trees, hit the ground and jump up and run off.

First time we’ve ever seen a dead squirrel, so we are a bit mystified.

[gorush]

Fencing is the only solution. They sell "invisible fence" (Benner Gardens is one purveyor on the internet). I built a frame for the fencing, my frame was more expensive than the suggested support system yet more appealing to the eye.

[Original Lurker]

I don’t think deer will eat tomatoes. Maybe the pepper leaves but not certain. As for the maters, I would think it’s vastly more likely it’s squirrels or chipmunks. I start trapping squirrels (here in Atlanta) mid-February when they’re having their late winter litter. I trap both squirrels and chipmunks (and remove) throughout the growing season, too.

Deer are something that are quite difficult to deal with. Good luck..!!

[mrsmith]

Soap works for my neighbor: deer eat her roses if she doesn’t put it out.
I wouldn’t believe deer would stick their noses in a thorny rose bush, but they sure do!