Gardening In The Grove
by Bill Valuch

Oh Deer, What’s a Gardener To Do?
Love them or hate them, we here on the Monterey Peninsula are graced with these majestic creatures. Deer seem to be everywhere this time of the year. Mom and her young ones seem oblivious to us humans as they wander the streets in search of their next garden buffet. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like there are more than ever this year.

As beautiful as they are, it only takes a visit or two for them to plow through your most prized plant possessions. With the current drought conditions, plants in the wild are diminishing and the deer population is broadening its dining areas to include what was once considered undesirable plants. The good news is that the recent rains will once again produce the natural vegetation that the deer prefer, allowing them to remain in their protected habitats. Good for the deer and good for the gardener.

In the meantime, there are things we can do to co-exist with our neighboring deer population. First and foremost is to plant deer-tolerant material, hoping to avoid attracting them in the first place. My first garden in Pacific Grove was full of tasty treats and was soon discovered and demolished by deer. Simple research provided a list of plants that would be better suited to establish the garden I wanted and deter my unwanted guests. A planting of bacopa, ferns, camellias, Mexican sage, rosemary, vinca verigata, polygala, daffodils, amaryllis and penstimun did the trick. I ended up with a garden full of color and convinced the deer that I should be removed from the dining guide.

I searched the internet for sources of deer tolerant plants and remedies and found many helpful sites and would suggest that you do the same. One site in particular, www.gardening-about.com provides a nice list that should help in your selection. Also, your local nursery can provide a wealth of tried-and-true information gathered from years of experience.

Breaking the Cycle
If you have a garden that has been frequented by deer and you want to convince them to dine elsewhere, make your area less desirable. Fencing is very effective and permanent but costly. The good news is you only have to build the barrier once. If a fence doesn’t fit into your landscape plan, there are plenty of deer repellents available on the market that are very effective. Sprays or broadcast material should be chosen carefully though.Many contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans and pets, so choose ones with all-natural ingredients. These products have to be administered on a regular basis and require perseverance on your part.

Search the Web
I also found several home remedies on the internet that are worth a try. They tend to be more environmentally friendly and contain ingredients found at home. Human hair is known to keep deer away. Hanging small bags containing hair around the perimeter of your garden or scattering it around your plants may help. Bars of bath soap strategically placed in the garden have also been used with some success. Homemade sprays containing garlic and spicy ground peppers will help also. A gardening associate suggests applying blood meal to the leaves of plants you want to protect. Whether you choose store-bought repellents or home remedies, remember that they have to be applied regularly and can be washed off with watering or rainfall.

Let’s face it, deer are here to stay. They are one of the features that make our area so attractive. Just count the times you have had to stop your car to wait for the deer to cross the road or the visitor that is photographing them. Can’t we all just try to get along?

As always you are encouraged to send your tips, questions and plant favorites by email to misstrawicks@sbcglobal.net or stop by the shop at 664 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove. Past columns are now available here on our website, www.misstrawicks.com.