Keeping Deer and Bunnies out of your veggie garden?

Question

I'd like to have a vegetable garden this year. I'd like it to be as close to totally organic as possible. Problem is, I have tons of deer and I don't want them to be eating everything I'm trying to grow.

Also, what about insects? Is there anything that can be done about them?

I'll probably get it started w/ some organic, store bought soil, then begin composting for next year's fertilizer.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions?

Answer 1

Using old socks fill them with your hair, your dog's fur, dryer ling, soap chips, anything human/dog smelling. Hang around the garden. Save urine in a coffee can (I used 'aroma seal' plastic can), sprinkle around the perimeter of the garden. Had no deer or rabbits in my vegie garden.

Sweet allissum, marigolds repel most insects. There are other flowers to use as "companion plants", garlic, chives,.

For your compost; magick juice = 1 can beer, 1 can NON diet cola, 1 cup weak tea, 1 tsp baby shampoo (oil soap works), 1/4 cup amonia, mix together and pour on each time you add new material to the compost.

Here are a few links. good luck.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=organic+companion+plants&fr=ush-ans

Answer 2

A fence is about the only answer if you have an abundance of deer and bunnies. The fence will have to be 6 foot high to stop the deers and some can even master this height. An electric fence is a great idea as long as you are careful. Not a good idea if you are in a real populous area where lots of kids are around. Dont worry about insects unless you get them. Every insect is unique and what repels one insect may not work for a mite, flea bettle, hornworm...Dont worry ahead of time, wait to see what happens. Do not start with store bought soil if you can help it. It is best to talk to a local nursery and see if you get native soil. Most nurseries will be able to accomodate you. Store bought is not always what is claims to be and might not be a good way to start a garden. Your plants are going to be putting roots into native soil so it is best to work with what you have. Also you will need to have fencing or mesh underneath the fence to prevent the burrowing animals from coming in via "under the fence." This can be an expensive investment but if you are going to garden for many years, it is worth the investment. Many people just plunge ahead and then become disappointed in gardening because the animals take their toll. Best to start out preventing the animals from getting in.

Answer 3

I read an answer to this question several years back in a rural newspaper gardening advice column. The person who had written in had tried all the home remedies to keep the critters out of the garden with no luck. The "expert" writing the column advised putting up signs stating "No Rabbits Allowed", No Deer Allowed", etc. They said that if the animals were hungry, this would do just about as good as anything. Try getting a dog. We have cats that keep the rabbits chased away.

Answer 4

this may take awhile...

step 1: buy the kind of plants you'd like.
step 2: buy the exact same labels for your plants to indicate what they are.
step 3: buy some good soil and plant food.
step 4: as for the insects, you could water the plants everyday with a special sprinkler.
step 5: as for the deer and bunnies, you might want to get a fence as well. if your really serious about this, get a big fence. but if it doesn't happen often, just make sure they can't jump over it. perhaps try some test runs before you even start step one.
step 6: plant your plants on Mother's day, unless it's reall bad out. but a slight sprinkle of rain will get your plants going in the right direction. i hope i've helped you with your dilemma.

Answer 5

Lay some sections of chain link fence around your garden on the ground. Deer don't like stepping on metal. Plant Marigolds around your garden, most animals don't like the smell. The urine and hair clippings will work too, unless you are a vegetarian. Animals can tell the smell of a predator.

Answer 6

You can buy a motion sensor that hooks up to a garden sprinkler. Then when they come near it sprays them and scares them away. For insects plant marigolds they keep insects away

Answer 7

if you have a fence around your garden, even a short one, it will help. what i've done is put a few yards of copper wire around the fence of my garden. rabbits do not like copper. it's believed that the smell bothers them. for dear, hand shiney objects around your garden. old cd's work great as they're scared of the reflections on them. also, placing copper wire around the base of your garden keeps slugs out, too.

Answer 8

i use mother earth for any questions i have about gardening -- ill post the link below

Answer 9

I put and electric fence around mine, careful don't pee on it.