Re: Re: HYB: growth problems

On Oct 23, 2006, at 3:36 PM, Autmirislvr@aol.com wrote:
Laurie, my deer don't graze the irises, but they do take short cuts through
the beds on their way to the more delectable tomatoes! The main damage I see
is the trampling!
My deer typically only graze the irises in early spring before their natural browse leafs out and maybe again at this time of year when the browse has defoliated. It's more of a problem if they graze in the fall because they can easily uproot that summer's transplants. If they uproot them at this time of year, it's too late to replant with any significant hope for winter survival.

However, the more significant damage does result from trampling. The deer trample the rhizomes down into my native clay then compact it into concrete around them. If they happen to damage the rzs in the process, they also leave them open to bacterial rot infections.

That's why I now have my two larger beds fenced with chicken wire. The wire is only 4' tall, so the deer can easily jump it if they've a mind to. Fortunately, they usually don't bother, so my deer damage has been dramatically reduced.

It's been suggested that I should provide a food source, perhaps a bit to
one side? But, since there is lush growth all around, I really see little
point.
One strategy I've tried in the past (before I fenced the beds) was to place a 50# salt block way out across the hayfield to lure the deer away from the irises. That actually seemed to help with fall grazing. Deer do LOVE their salt! Your comment just reminded me to do that again. Thanks!

I'd say the path they take through my garden is genetically imprinted on
their brains. The creek loops around me and my yard is their short cut to
further down the creek.
And I imagine your garden is too extensive to fence effectively. One other strategy that seemed to help alleviate some of the trampling damage before I fenced the beds was to plant the irises on top of narrow, raised windrows with walkways between. The walkways helped direct hoof traffic and significantly reduced trampling right on top of the irises.

Laurie

---------------
lauriefr@localnet.com
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg
http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/shadowood/irisintro.html
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly acid, potassium deficient, clay soil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index