Deer and tomatoes

[grouse]

Does anyone have a good way to keep deer from destroying my tomato garden? These are suburban deer and they have been raiding my tomato patch and eating both the tomatoes and the plants. They have eaten approx. 40-50 of the larger (ready to ripen) tomatoes on my plants in the last few nights. I have tried two different brands of deer spray repellent and I might just as well use water.

These deer have little fear of anything. I walk my two bird dogs off leash in open areas behind my house and I make them heel when I see deer. The deer will stay in the field about 60-75 yards away if the dogs don't start toward them. I have cut grass next to the field they were in and they come closer as I mow. They don't spook easily.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know. We love home-grown tomatoes and you just can't get anything that tastes like them in the stores. I would like to keep some for us!

[Normous]

Is your garden fenced?

[Hunt it]

Your on a x bow forum asking about deer eating your tomatoes, whack em and eatem. Deer and tomatoes go good on a sandwich

[grouse]

A venison cheeseburger with a slice of heirloom tomato does sound good but I live in an incorporated area and I don't think you can even legally shoot a crossbow outdoors.

[hankenhunter]

Small three wire electric fence. I have a few neighbors who use this with great success. You just have to stagger the wires so that they can't jump it. One jolt and they'll never come back.
Hank

[otisbrazwell]

the fence better be high & strong .the other way is not going to help as you would have to kill them all.had the same problem here with whitetails so I planted 12 oxhart tamato plants right at the front door and had 34 buds one day next day they were all gone.gave up now I just buy what I need.its great you have a hurd there but they love gardens

[Hunt it]

They's trespassing aren't they??

Make yourself a scarecrow dressed in blaze orange with a fake ak 47 from Walmart toy dept.

[nannyhammer]

try ground cayenne pepper or "deer stop" spray that you can get from a hardware store. The "deer stop" spray is water based made with emulsified eggs, red pepper and garlic. Stinks to high heaven when wet but you can't smell it when dry. Don't get it on you.....you won't live long enough to get the smell off.

[Trigger1212]

Shoot em', works with rabbits!

[BrotherRon]

try ground cayenne pepper or "deer stop" spray that you can get from a hardware store. The "deer stop" spray is water based made with emulsified eggs, red pepper and garlic. Stinks to high heaven when wet but you can't smell it when dry. Don't get it on you.....you won't live long enough to get the smell off.

yes, red pepper mixed with water and use a spray bottle to mist them with`

[canoe13]

Try Irish Spring soap just lay slices of it around the garden or put out handfuls of human hair or mothballs. These items work in my cemetery for awhile then you reapply.

[wildcatter]

I have used a solution of cayenne pepper powder cost about 2 bucks, Tabasco, dawn dish detergent add this after as you put it in the bottle, this makes it stick better for less reapplications and water, some add powdered garlic also. Mix in a pan and heat, this will blend it better, let cool and fill a spray bottle adding detergent, I get em at dollar general, ,,, no problem with hurting the plant and washes off easily when you're ready to eat them. Works with rabbits also, just make sure after a rain or heavy dew that you re-apply. Usually after few attempts they quit coming back,,,,,,good luck!!!

[884savage]

I grow produce to sell at farmer's markets and to people right out my door. I have 2 black labs, and I move their kennel around the garden. They go just nuts enough when deer and coons come around to keep them at bay. I live in the country surrounded by 1000's of acres of deer infested woodlots. Nothing else has ever slowed them down, but they don't like dogs.

[awshucks]

Try Irish Spring soap just lay slices of it around the garden or put out handfuls of human hair or mothballs. These items work in my cemetery for awhile then you reapply.

X2.....Hang slices of it on a string around your plants.....

[Seafermiles]

This might work...
http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-5266-Act ... ller+water