Protecting the plants is a great idea, and the other ideas are very good. But what about when the raccoons, opossums, skunks and other wildlife became a problem; eliminating the deer is not a solution.
I have a lot of deer come through being on the outskirts of the Metroparks, but the hyssop has been untouched for me as well. I am anti-chemical or deer repellant spray. I did try spraying diluted Irish Spring soap on my plants this year but the leaves turned crummy and the soap built up. However after stopping I immediately lost my yellow roses, purple phlox, sedum autumn joy heads, new buds of Echinachea and Black-eyed Susans, and even butterfly bush (which I now know can be invasive). Curious what your take is on the ‘eggcellent’ solution (search for YT video) that uses egg yolk, baking powder or soda, and water? While I believe this could work, at least temporarily, I worry about the effect of any spray on the flower heads to the little visitors. Surely none of this can be good for them. Sadly, I don’t hear much talk about this. Walking through my development the past few nights, I cannot believe how many have flowers compared to me, but I can’t help but think they’re spraying.
Thank you for considering our pollinators! You ask a very important question that needs to be studied. Gardeners end up in a catch-22 regarding deer- if one sprays, are we harming pollinators? But if we don't spray, will there be any flowers left for the pollinators? If anyone is aware of a study on this topic please post a link on Native Plant Channel's Facebook page, facebook.com/nativeplantchannel. The only information I am aware of is from the University of California's Master Gardener program where a bee expert commented that natural products such as eggs would probably not affect bees. See page 7: cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/newsletters/Master_Gardener_E-News,_Classes,_Events_-_Updates48149.pdf
Native Plant Channel Thanks for the information and the link to article! :) I am going to read now. I’ll also let you know if I come across anything in the future pertaining to this. It is definitely a conundrum, but I still err on side of not spraying so the critters can interact with those flowers that remain in my garden as they would in a natural setting.
My studies with insects indicate any type of soap or detergent can suffocate insects because they have no lungs. MHP Gardner made a hot pepper spray for deer and other critters, it had garlic and other deterrents to save his vegetable crop.. I read a book about strong smelling plants deter deer, one was eating beans and I mulched leeks with a lawnmower into a strong onion smell, the deer never came back.
You explained the impact of deer on our bird population very well.
Thank you Karen, we often don't notice just how interconnected ecosystems are. I appreciate hearing from you!
Wonderfully informative...thank you....
Thanks, Jo, so happy you found it useful!
Great information!! Thanks keep it coming...😉🌺
Hi Sharon, thank you for commenting! Will do!
Very good information,
Thank you!
Thank you for commenting Susan, I enjoy hearing from viewers!
I live in Northern NY by Rockland Co, do you think somewhere like Lowe's has these plants? My local farm doesn't have them.
If you don’t mind driving you can get native plants from Catskill Native nursery in Kerhonkson which is in Ulster County.
Protecting the plants is a great idea, and the other ideas are very good. But what about when the raccoons, opossums, skunks and other wildlife became a problem; eliminating the deer is not a solution.
I have a lot of deer come through being on the outskirts of the Metroparks, but the hyssop has been untouched for me as well. I am anti-chemical or deer repellant spray. I did try spraying diluted Irish Spring soap on my plants this year but the leaves turned crummy and the soap built up. However after stopping I immediately lost my yellow roses, purple phlox, sedum autumn joy heads, new buds of Echinachea and Black-eyed Susans, and even butterfly bush (which I now know can be invasive). Curious what your take is on the ‘eggcellent’ solution (search for YT video) that uses egg yolk, baking powder or soda, and water? While I believe this could work, at least temporarily, I worry about the effect of any spray on the flower heads to the little visitors. Surely none of this can be good for them. Sadly, I don’t hear much talk about this. Walking through my development the past few nights, I cannot believe how many have flowers compared to me, but I can’t help but think they’re spraying.
Thank you for considering our pollinators! You ask a very important question that needs to be studied. Gardeners end up in a catch-22 regarding deer- if one sprays, are we harming pollinators? But if we don't spray, will there be any flowers left for the pollinators? If anyone is aware of a study on this topic please post a link on Native Plant Channel's Facebook page, facebook.com/nativeplantchannel. The only information I am aware of is from the University of California's Master Gardener program where a bee expert commented that natural products such as eggs would probably not affect bees. See page 7:
cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/newsletters/Master_Gardener_E-News,_Classes,_Events_-_Updates48149.pdf
Native Plant Channel Thanks for the information and the link to article! :) I am going to read now. I’ll also let you know if I come across anything in the future pertaining to this. It is definitely a conundrum, but I still err on side of not spraying so the critters can interact with those flowers that remain in my garden as they would in a natural setting.
My studies with insects indicate any type of soap or detergent can suffocate insects because they have no lungs. MHP Gardner made a hot pepper spray for deer and other critters, it had garlic and other deterrents to save his vegetable crop.. I read a book about strong smelling plants deter deer, one was eating beans and I mulched leeks with a lawnmower into a strong onion smell, the deer never came back.