Today’s blog is on deer and the hosta plants but currently my front yard has been grazed over.
This spring, the row of hosta plants in front of my house never looked better. Each leaf was lush and green. In fact, the whole yard looked awesome. I’ve spent countless hours weeding, hoeing, fertilizing, and planting grass seeds.
So it was so odd to get up one morning and discover all the flowers spikes on my hosta plants were gone. What happened?
Deer in the Neighborhood?
I live on a main street in a busy neighborhood so we rarely see any deer. Roaming deer is a huge and dangerous issue near roadways. However, I recently saw a couple of deer in my yard but they quickly jumped over the neighbor’s fence.
So now I see that a deer came back and couldn’t resist my nice row of hosta plants with their light purple flower spikes. He was probably thinking what a great gourmet treat.
I believe the deer returned in the early morning hours before anyone got up because, otherwise, I would have seen him.
So now I am left with a bunch of chewed off hosta plant stems and mangled leaves.
Deer Proofing Ideas?
Not sure if there is anyway to totally deer proof a yard but reading online and from what I know, they really don’t like strong smells.
One suggestion was to cut up a bar of fresh smelling soap and leave bits in the hosta plants. Another was to leave human hair about so I cleaned out my hair bushes. I ties bit of hair to my plants. Hopefully, the birds will not think it is for their nests. One can even plant strong smelling herbs about.
Anyway, there is also deer deterrent spray on the market. I think I might have to try this soon.
Ending Comments on Deer and the Hosta Plants
I’m going to try a few things and see what works. I hope the deer does not return and pick clean my backyard, but we will have to wait and see on that one.
I’ll keep my Readers posted on any other developments.