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Question: I know deer will always be a problem in my garden, but what is the best way to minimize the damage they can create?

Answer: The steadily increasing number of deer in our area is the result of the expansion of communities into rural areas. The deer seem to adapt and easily co-exist without any natural predators and an abundance of food supplied from our gardens. Besides being a garden nuisance, deer also pose health risks to humans. As deer populations increase, so does the incidence of Lyme disease.

Deer are creatures of habit, and once they have discovered a food source it is difficult to get them to move elsewhere. Deer damage occurs at any time of year, but most damage to ornamental plantings occurs during the fall, winter and early spring, when food is limited. It is easy to distinguish deer browsing from rabbit or squirrel damage. Deer do not have upper incisors; therefore, when they eat a plant, they are leaving ragged edges on the ends. The other animals leave a clean cut.

Many gardeners who deal with deer have chosen to minimize the damage by planting particular plants that are less preferred by the animal. Cornell University has developed a list that is helpful for gardens in the Eastern and Northern states. Some rarely damaged plants include Japanese Pieris, American Holly, Paper Birch, Colorado spruce and common boxwood. Susceptible plants should be planted as far away from your property's wooded edge to reduce possible damage.

Repellents and scare devices can minimize damage as well. Deer use their sense of smell to search for food, and repellents are effective. Repellents should be used early in the fall before deer establish themselves in your garden. They must be applied regularly throughout the winter and spring, and reapplied after a heavy rainfall.

Many gardeners have found repellents to be more effective when they alternate between several brands. Scare devices include water jets, whistles, dogs or any device that makes a loud noise. Usually, these have limited effectiveness, since deer become used to them whereas your neighbors may not.

The most effective control, however costly, is fencing. Two types of fencing that work well in the home garden are woven wire or plastic mesh and electric. Since deer are able to jump 10 feet high, your fence must be at least eight feet.

At our demonstration garden in Mays Landing, we have developed a system using plastic mesh, PVC pipes and bamboo poles. For the last year, it has been successful in keeping deer out and our plants safe.

Mona Bawgus is a certified master gardener and consumer horticulturist with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County. Write to her c/o Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 6260 Old Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. E-mail:

bawgus_mona@aclink.org

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