Q&A Master Gardeners with

from Dansville- Wayland- Genesee Valley Penny Saver- 5-12-23

Dumpsters!

I’ve read a lot of plant packages saying plants are deer-resistant and then the deer come through during winter and decimate them anyway. How do I know which aredeﬁnitelydeer-resistant?

Although a plant may be marketed as deer-resistant, unfortunately, deer are curious and hungry creatures. Mothers and fawns, especially, are known for their voracity and their tendency to nibble many plants as they move along a landscape. The result is that a planting of young pawpaws or currants, both marketed as “deer-resistant,” might have all the leaves chewed off overnight. After eating a “deer-resistant” plant, an individual deer may feel sick or realize (after a few big bites) that they don’t like the taste of the leaves. If the plant is small to begin with, it may be already dead after being munched. And there will likely be more, unfamiliar deer that also need totastetheplanttocometothesame conclusion.

The only sure-ﬁre solution is to use netting while the plants are small. Some have suggested planting allium crops around young plantings, as deer don’t like the smell. But, I think physically blocking the plants from deer will workbest.If youareabletogrowthe “deer-resistant” plant out to a large

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THIS SPRING, IT’S ALL ABOUT THAT BASS FISHING -AND YOUR BASIC GEAR enough size — perennials usually reach this stage around 2 or 3 years –you can let deer graze on it and learn theirlessonwithoutworryingthatthe plant will die from its leaves getting eatenoff.

WEAR A BASE LAYER. A thin T-shirt is a must as a base layer, better if it is made of fabric that wicks away moisture. There are even some that are made to be water repellent and stain resistant with anti-odor properties for those in warmer climes. Since this is the layer that is in direct contact with your skin, you want something that will allow moisture to escape as you sweat.

KenEstes,MasterGardener