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Deep South, USA

Well, my year is done.

Over the last couple of days, the deer have broken my fishing line fence, and ruined every last Cobb Gem melon.

*sigh* it's either end rot or deer. I guess it's just as well, I need to take soil samples anyway.

That would indicate any success at getting the CC melons past end rot is liable to be met with macrovermin destruction. To add insult to injury, they went back in and finished melons they had already ruined earlier.

Isn't gardening grand? X(

9/8/2011 2:40:01 PM

Ut

Yes, and too bad it takes us a whole year to do it all again! It's sad to see all our patches finishing up.

9/8/2011 7:58:58 PM

formerly RGG

I have already been thinking about next years patch for weeks. I still have a weighoff or two to attend though. Yoshi, it sounds like you also need a better fence for next year. Those deer will probably remember where they found your delicious watermelons and return in search of more.

9/9/2011 10:00:59 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Melon flavored venison is probably pretty tasty.

9/12/2011 7:02:23 PM

formerly RGG

LOL James.

9/12/2011 9:01:54 PM

Deep South, USA

Deer are a big problem with pretty much everything that you want to eat that isn't deer themselves. They seemed more inclined to the watermelon plants further away from the house.

I debated on how to deter them. The fishing line fence seemed to work ok until they broke through. It was meant as a psychological barrier. Maybe they finally braved it out due to desperation? I've seen those green sonic repellers advertised. Has anybody tried them?

I've been arguing with myself over whether to pull the plants, or leave them to be tilled in.

9/12/2011 11:43:25 PM

Deep South, USA

I should add that I have three dogs, but they're useless. They sit down here and sometimes yap all night, but won't bother the deer in the garden, as far as I can tell.

9/12/2011 11:44:58 PM

Bowdon, GA

Next year go to tractor supply early and look for deer netting. It's easy to put up and unless their really brave they won't try to jump it. About $20 for 150'.

9/13/2011 12:00:57 AM

sevierville, Tn

What kind of dogs ?? Maybe some hounds....a plott would be good.

9/13/2011 3:12:10 PM

Deep South, USA

We adopted the mother, who was stray/abandoned. We think she might be a Scottish Terrier, but she doesn't look exactly right to be purebred. The other two are her daugthers, they're definitely mixed. They're pretty dogs, but they apparently don't give a rip about deer.

9/13/2011 10:50:38 PM

Ut

Maybe you could try breeding giant dogs instead of melons:)

9/14/2011 10:04:01 AM

Deep South, USA

I know they're not big enough to kill the deer, but they could probably bark and scare the deer off if they were motivated to.

The mother had one litter of six puppies before she was fixed. Rather a high number for a small dog's first litter I would think. They were all females. I wonder what the odds of that are. I don't know if that has anything to do with their indifference to deer, I hear males are more territorial.

The dogs have been bad about getting into the melon plants themselves, when I'm up there.

9/14/2011 7:20:12 PM