Man what a sucky problem you have Steve with the deer!
Buds are good though... :)

so sorry Steve, what patience you have -the JB's won't leave me alone either. It has been ALL summer. Have these pests singled us out for continuing torture? WHY? The season is over, guys--LEAVE! GO HOME!..at least my pests are small...

What a bummer. :(

Steve.......

I had the same problem with the deer eating all growth outside of the deer cage on my 'Linda Campbell'. That's why I finally made the deer cage much, much larger and it is no longer a problem.

Smiles,
Lyn

Glad it's just not me. The deer left all of my roses alone until last week when it ate 4 (2 just about to open) of my Love Grandiflora. Insert lots of expletives here. Hubby had sprayed the super stinky stuff a few times but I guess it wore off after a good rain. I went out the next day and got more and drenched my flowers and plants.

What about using brown or green yarn tied to stakes all around the perimeter of your cages. Sort of like a tangle web down low for 2 feet all around the bases. I just read about this idea and the person said it has been working great with low visual impact. You might try it for one plant and see if it works. A skein of synthetic yarn is only a few dollars and you could use tree trimmings for the stakes.

The access point to the canes I pictured is from above.
I put wads of deer netting that are at least one foot tall where they would walk. It had no effect.

I hate deer! There is abundant food in my yard, particularly new growth on scrub oak that deer like.
I have lived in my house for 28 years. I have had a patch of agapanthus very close to my house for a long time.
The deer never bothered them. A few years ago, a deer clipped every stalk off the agapanthus. Why, because it felt like it. .

Our dear, dear, DeervsSteve, sooo very sorry, hon!!! The agony of it! :(

Johnny Cabot, re: "...Steve, what patience you have..."

I think Steve's long suffering patience is fortified with venison. ;)

And as to the long standing JB attacks on your beloved roses...my heart goes out to you, "big time". Stinkin' buggers!!! :(

This post was edited by dove_song on Tue, Sep 24, 13 at 16:49

Thank God, the hunting season has opened; that and only that may help. Invite the deer hunters to place their tent on your property , they will clear your area for several years ahead, till next deer strangers show up from somewhere else.