Another newbie from Missouri

Greetings from Cass County, MO. I purchased and read the first SFG book a number of years ago but didn't pursue it at that time - Don't know exactly why - Lapsing to the tried and (largely un)true status quo row gardening. However, a meniscus tear a couple of years ago drove me off my knees and, contrary to my surgeon's dire forecast about my gardening days being over, into four lovely raised beds, each about 30" high. So now I'm thinking this is a made-to-order situation for square-foot gardening and am taking another look at it.

What brought me to this forum is a search for ideas about deer deterrence. My raised beds are great for my gimpy knees but also make a terrific dining table for the neighborhood deer, which last year ate everything to the ground. This is war! So far I've read pretty much equal numbers of "it really works!"/"epic fail!" responses to every imaginable kind of remedy and would really welcome and appreciate any wisdom on this topic.

I'm looking forward to picking your collective brains often as I re-study the SFG concept and get going this spring.

I also have a battle of the deer, it is very frusterating! I would suggest building critter cages for your four beds! I have too many beds to do this but hubbs bought me a paintball gun for Christmas to scare them , it will at least be fun trying to scare them off now!

You might want to consider electric fencing:
http://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?species_id=7&
Or the Scarecrow motion activated water sprinkler:
http://www.safepetproducts.com/scarecrow-motion-sprinkler.html?gclid=CIGPm6CLybQCFaN_QgodDkMAHg

cheyannarach wrote:I also have a battle of the deer, it is very frusterating! I would suggest building critter cages for your four beds! I have too many beds to do this but hubbs bought me a paintball gun for Christmas to scare them , it will at least be fun trying to scare them off now!

How fun that will be to "play" with your gun! You will be able to tell if the same deer keeps coming back by the "color" of his fur, lol!

Lindacol wrote: You might want to consider electric fencing:
http://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?species_id=7&
Or the Scarecrow motion activated water sprinkler:
http://www.safepetproducts.com/scarecrow-motion-sprinkler.html?gclid=CIGPm6CLybQCFaN_QgodDkMAHg

I like the idea of the electric fence! It looks like that company will also give some help on choosing what you need! Look to the right, it mentions asking for help. I am considering using an electric type implement on my wooden fence if it looks like the cats start coming back in my garden area after I replace the soil in my beds.

Welcome to SFG.
A friend of mine used fishing line around his garden. he used about three lines attached to small metal post. He is in deer country and he said they can't see it and when they touch it it spooks them not to return. He had a lot of tomatoes (I took home a bag full). Use the heavy gage fishing line.
Mike

Try an outside dog with the dog house put right next to the garden. No more deer. Right outside the garden we put an underground electric fence to keep the dog out of the garden. The dog stays between the garden and the woods.

I really appreciate all of the welcoming words and great anti-deer tips. (I really love deer...across the road, not chomping my chard.) I've ordered the Premier1 fencing catalog and am also considering hoop houses of deer netting, although that seems like it might be quite a bit of a bother when it comes to tending the beds. Before I spring for the electric fence, I might try the fishing line idea--or the paintball gun. What fun! (As for the dog, I have one. She is worthless.) (But I love her.) Anyway, I asked for tips, and you have provided! Thank you! Thank you!

I'm taking advantage of my housebound state in our very cold Missouri weather to work my way once again through the original SBG book. Is the new edition pretty much the same, or would that be something I should purchase?

Oh yes, the edition, ALL NEW SQUAREFOOT GARDENING is a much improved concept in gardening, no digging was my selling point. There is a second edition of this book due out in a month that can be ordered from the Foundation (see Website in the green bar above). I would suggest you go to your local library and check out ALL NEW SQUAREFOOT GARDENING and study it while waiting for the second edition.

kAY