How to keep deer out of the orchard?

Chuck52 · Jan 13, 2005

I know the feeling. There have been two accidents in the ditch along the front of my property in the last few months caused by motorists trying to avoid hitting deer. I routinely have 5-7 deer roaming across my lawn. We already have various hunting seasons for them, including the usual black powder and bow seasons, but since they come right up to my windows I'm campaigning for slingshot and sharp rock seasons. That's two seasons by the way....slingshot using steel shot and hand-held sharp rock.

I'm glad I have wildlife to look at on my property. I really am. I do wonder what it would be like to be able to plant a garden and trees and such and only have the weather to worry about, however. Life is full of trade-offs.

Chuck

gobbler · Jan 14, 2005

I'm jumping in a bit late in the discussion, but have you considered planting wildlife food plots? I have a conservation agent friend who recommended this to me. Since I started this, damage to my garden and fruit trees have lessened. There is a ton of information about planting plots on the net.

Glenn9643 · Jan 14, 2005

Last year I had some ryegrass planted that probably helped some, but I didn't plant anything this year. May try it next year. Thanks.

MMM · Jan 14, 2005

( I didn't plant anything this year )

The chickory is perennial and does well here. Plant it thick to keep out grass and fertilize it good.

Glenn9643 · Jan 15, 2005

Thanks for the info Mac. I'm only familiar with chickory as an additive in Louisiana coffee. Plant with a broadcast spreader similar to rye, etc and disk in lightly? Can you tell me a little more such as when I would need to plant and something of it's growth habit? Thanks for saving me some "searching" if you can.

Glenn

Chuck52 · Jan 15, 2005

Around here, there are some folks who even put out bales of hay to distract the deer from their gardens. However, directly across the road from me, in plain sight of my garden, is a huge field of a dairy farm which is planted in either corn or soy beans every year. The deer seem to like to eat there and then come to my garden for desert. At least they did before I put up my fence. They still snack on the flowers and bushes and trees on my place that aren't protected.

Chuck

MMM · Jan 15, 2005

( when I would need to plant and something of it's growth habit? )

I put out 4lbs for 1/2a plot, which is over the reccomended rate. The seed does well in a spreader and best time ive found is late fall. Ph about 6.5, and 5 sacks trip13. If you're in the river bottom, you may need no soil adjustment. If in the hills or piney woods, probably same soil as mine.