Planting cover crops.

[civilian]

Not sure where you are located, but not sure if I would have enough sunight to run solar electric fencing in Vanderbilt, MI. Jon

 

[jjeff]

Not sure where you are located, but not sure if I would have enough sunight to run solar electric fencing in Vanderbilt, MI. Jon

Yeah I'm problaby going with ac-dc plug in seems more reliable and less maintenance of batteries etc besides the fence itself. Most I've looked at has a 25 yr lifespan and is uv resistant not the cheapest out there but a 3d electric fence is a tiny fraction if I went with 10' deer fence even if I did it. l I'm also looking into coverage areas of the plug in electric fence controllers I do have 120 volt power in the old garden shed near my pond which is where I'll be starting and ending fence. I'll be measuring everything this winter. However I'm estimating it needs to encompass a ten acre perimeter. If I'm to grow enough xmas trees, sweet corn, and possibly pumpkins to sell to break even anymore.

 

[jjeff]

So after further research it doesn't appear a electric fence encompassing 10 acres or any acreage is allowed in my township despite being zoned ag. unless a non electric 5' fence is put in front of an electric fence. $$$$. Curious if anyone has had had any luck with deer repellant for large areas? Basically mix concentrate in a 40+45 gallon pull behind sprayer and apply around perimeter, and down rows of sweet corn and Xmas trees. Figuring a 5 gallon concentrate pail will run me about 4-500 per year minimal estimate. A decent a 25 yr lifespan permanent 3 d diy electric fence will run me about 3-5k. So if deer repellant concentrate is effective I'll start losing money vs putting up electric after 6 yrs if it's effective. Btw sweet corn seed is expensive, so are Xmas tree bare root or plugs I'm trying to grow. Bloody deer already took at least one of my newly planted irrigated plugs out of the the ground, roots and all, and chomped to the top off. I'll be in contact with food banks soon to see if they have hunters for deer to donate to food banks allowed in my state. I still unfortunately have no desire to hunt deer again even to donate to food banks or at the rate I need to kill the things to make any noticeable difference. Next spring I'm clearing about an acre of there bedding habitat mostly popple and Aspen. I'm also planning to put down quite the array a of solar deer repellant devices knowing the deer will eventually grow accustomed to the ultrasonic noise and light emitting devices. Any approved deer repellant concentrate suggestions that can be applied near or on sweet corn is appreciated. I'm not at the stage to set up 8-10 ft high non electrifies deer fence around 10 acres. Although I understand that may be the ultimate solution.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have 8 acres. I have cover crops on about 2 acres. It has not deterred deer at all. Deer are opportunistic foragers. If they walk by something green, they are going to chew on it. I have rye, clover, buckwheat... The deer will still challenge an electric fence to get to my 1/4 acre garden. They browse all of our trees.

Lead is the best deterrent. Or you just accept the fact that half of your crop goes back to nature

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I too have varmint problems. Deer, groundhawgs, squirrels, crows and beaver. Seems they all suffer from a mineral deficiency. I have to give them a high velocity lead inoculation. I have also found if I inoculate them in the gut they tend to run off in the woods and I don't need to drag em anywhere.

I planted strawberry plants about almost 2 months ago. Deer came by and ate the tops off almost all of them. We also have blueberry, blackberry, grapes, pecans, peaches and apples.

Short term fixes I have seen do "OK" are hanging up worn tee shirts around the area. They need to be rotated out and moved every few days.

I am thinking of getting a thermo scope for my 17. I have the binocs just can't see them through the scope unless its got moonlight.

I have offered hunters to come in and hunt but they usually don't do so well. The native deer I take out, the roamers from across the road don't show up until night. I'm not in a position to put in a 10ft fence nor want to put in electric.