podcast: gardening against the deer
THE BANG-BANG SOUND FROM THE WOODS this time of year—it’s hunting season!—always reminds me of who isn’t welcome in my garden, thanks to a tall fence. Keeping deer out, or choosing plants that are somewhat less palatable for the areas where you cannot bar them, was the topic of this week’s podcast. (A couple of deer-related links that I mention on the show, including a reference from Rutgers University, a slice of which is shown above, are on the jump page.)
Links:
- Stream the latest podcast with WHDD Radio in Sharon, Connecticut, the nation’s smallest NPR affiliate, or subscribe free on iTunes.
- My approach to deer fencing (including various styles and materials).
- Deer-resistant plants: Rutgers University has a great tool that rates plants by their level of resistance to deer, but of course deer’s preferences vary by location. Search for ones that are closer to you—like the Ohio Landscape Association list, or this pdf from part of the North Carolina extension service, or Oregon Fish and Wildlife’s, and so on. Lists from your area extension service are probably the place to start.
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for emphasizing, in the podcast, that there are no completely deer-proof plants. I’ve gardened amongst ever-increasing herds of deer in south-central Connecticut for the last 13 years. During this time, through much trial and error and more cost than I care to tally, I created plantings generally untouched or minimally munched by resident deer. Deer candy plants grow in a permanently fenced area. This all worked well until this year when there are virtually no acorns after two previous years with record numbers of acorns. Deer are now eating nearly all ‘resistant’ greenery. They’ve even climbed onto front porches to reach potted greenery. Fencing, either individual shrubs or entire yards, is the only way to protect plantings.While I’m not crazy about looking out at shrubs in jail, I’d rather do this than see shrubs destroyed.
I heard you speak at the Connecticut Horticultural Society meeting in September … loved your talk, loved your book, and now I’m enjoying your podcasts. Thanks!
Let us remember Frank Cabot who died recently. He founded the Garden Conservancy, headquartered in Cold Spring, NY, which has preserved many gardens for our enjoyment & education through its Open Garden Days. Did you ever meet him? Or visit the jewel Les Quatre Vents?