Deer and Hostas

 I just bought a new house where the deer are prevalent and planted a
lot of hostas last year. The deer seem to feed more in the early
winter months but was wondering about hostas.

In winter they're out of luck because they die back but do they go
after the spring shoots?

Please -- only someone who has experience with the matter -- no
"guessing".

THANKS.

 

Hostas, sometimes called "deer lettuce".

They love the stuff.

They won't dig out the roots but they eat hostas whenever they
can find it.  Spring, summer, fall, it doesn't matter.

You can try deer repellent, soap flakes, netting, other home remedies.
Ultimately, nothing will work except a fence.

I put up a six footer and finally experienced a year where the
deer did not eat all the hostas:

http://mysite.verizon.net/despen/fence/

 Thanks.

What a shame -- I have nothing but shade around here and they love to
eat when I'm SLEEPING, the SOB's. Also, found out this year they love
Yews, but not Junipers?

Maybe I can just rig up something with auto on lighting and some audio
to scare them -- electronics is my business.

 

Sorry, tried lighting.

They can see the plants better.

Audio, I don't know but I doubt it.  If it's loud someone will complain
besides the deer.  My guess is that the deer will get used to it.

 On 2/23/2011 12:01 PM, mkr5000 wrote:

I use netting.  Electric fences will work. They can easily jump a 6 foot
fence when they have to.  Smaller fences will deter them but not stop
them. Not much deer won't eat but when they're eating evergreens they're
starving.