Gone - they are all GONE!

[jwr6404]

ROSE
We have deer and Racoon problems as well. We plant in pots located in our middle yard. We recently acquired a Carter Cattle Dog puppy and shes very territorial .She is 3 months old and has already killed a rabbit. The lady I got her from says that her female has driven off the Deer,Racoons and Coyotes from her property. She raises horses.

[Cyn]

Our three dogs have dramatically reduced the damage by the deer. However, they stay in at night so of course they missed the bandits.

Honestly, I think it is going to take a 7 foot fence with some mesh on the bottom to keep the littler creatures out. That is going to be some money even if we do it ourselves.

Of course, in my practice I make $90 per hour, and I have spent many, many hours on those tomatoes, so perhaps it is a bargain.

On the blog, about two posts down from the very sad one, is a list of all the plants I have...it is like reading an obituary today.
Cyn

[jwr6404]

Your absolutely right I did miss your small type comment. I don't know if it was from laughing so hard or from the pain pills I'm taking for a torn deltoid muscle. Please accept my apology. I woulden't want to be accused of being like the Liberal news media whiich exists on half truths..

[Goddessemer6]

It's okay I wrote it to be funny, expecially since it was right above my signature like that, it amused me too...

[matermama]

Caronabarb i love your pic of Alton B. I love him!!!
back to serious stuff .
Have you planted Geraniums? i hear deer really don't like them.
Maybe one of your dogs would like a night shift guard dog postion,LOL
I feel for you , how heart breaking,all the work and labor then some snot nosed critter comes around . So far i have been lucky, but i will have my day im sure of it.
sue

[Cyn]

companion planting is a good idea - geraniums are pretty stinky. Lavender might work too - though it doesn't need nearly as much water as tomatoes. We have something called Copper Canyon Daisy that is very fragrant and the deer leave it alone - that would be a fun companion to the tomatoes.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Cyn

[Cyn]

I was just outside checking on the plants. Today the heat is intense and the damage (broken branches etc) has left them weaker than I expected. They looked as if they were suffering.

Anyone have an opinion on whether or not I should feed them? it is time, on my schedule, to do so, and since their roots are fine, I don't think it will hurt - but want to check.

Cyn

[kimpossible]

I would go ahead - new growth needs to be encouraged & it could only help, not add stress, IMHO.

[matermama]

i have a really funny comic strip my mom sent me from theri paper ,about a woman working in her garden and then saying " I get such a thrill working in the garden !!!!!" and then you see two little bunnies saying "why is she always out here?? and the other bunny says " and why does she insist on playing with our food?? "
i just had to tell it, i don't know how to download it ,but i just thought it fit this thread . heehehehehehe
sue[/list][/b]

[Cyn]

That is really funny.
I am chuckling.

I just set a trap - they buggers came back last night and ate two of the three remaining tomatoes...

Cyn

[Cyn]

if you can scan that in, I would love to have a copy. Or, I'll pay your postage if you can xerox it.
Cyn

[JimM_SC]

Deer got into the garden Saturday night. I have an electric fence, but had turned it off as we had company. I lost almost 2 dozen plants! Several were ripped from the ground and the rest eaten down to stubs. These were in CRW cages but they were able to get their muzzles inside. A few might recover but the rest are done for.
Jim

[m3k1]

Okay, I have to jump in here and ask...

What is McNasty? I'm a newbie, so pardon my ignorance, please!

[matermama]

i will try and scan it in, im not to computer literate LOL :wink: but i will get it to you some how
sue

[Cyn]

Hi,
I only learned about it a month or so ago, so you aren't that far behind.

Mcnasty is a spray that deeters creatures from chewing on things. It is made for horses - to keep them from chewing up their pails, fence posts etc. It has cayenne and a bunch of other stuff

our vet recommended it for Poppy, our 9 minth old Lab. she has a particular affinity for my flowering plant - loves to pluck them and eat them, or simply do a victory lap around the yard with them in her mouth. I bought Liquid Fence for Cats & Dogs, but Poppy liked to lick it off the plants - not so helpful.

McNasy has helped, though, like Liquid Fence, you have to reapply after it rains. So I am putting both liquid fence and McNasty on the tomatoes - I had not done so after they took all my tomatoes, becuase icouldn't imagine them returning - but they did. From the way they got into the tomato cage, i am sure it was a raccoon.

I am going to continue to use the McNasty spray. it is available at the feed store, is about $20 for a bit bottle, and seems to be hleping here.

The neighbor has an empty dog kennel - with 6 ft walls, I am going to get i today and corral the plants with that. A raccoon couls still climb it, but it will keep the deer away.

We have white tail deer here - overrun as they are everywhere. But also, a herd of axis deer moved in last year. They are much more distructive to the plants and grees than the white tails. They are exotics, and can be "harvested" at any time, and that may happen as they are bringing havoc t our trees and the neighbors as well.

Cyn