Dealing with deer forum

A group of more than 20 concerned gardeners crowded into the Morris meeting room of the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton on Saturday, July 18, to listen to what some experts have to say about the deer situation on the East End.

Members of the Bridgehampton-based Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons are aware that deer infestation is a big problem for many on the East End. And though the group addressed the same subject a few years ago, new advances in technology, as well as mounting concern about the growing deer population, prompted members of the group to revisit the topic in “Dealing with Deer: A Forum for Gardeners” this past weekend. The talk featured deer experts Vincent Drzewucki and Robert Strubel, certified nursery landscapers through Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Agricultural Program.

Mr. Drzewucki, who works at Hicks Nurseries in Westbury and is the author of the books “Gardening in Deer Country” and “Flowerbeds and Borders in Deer Country,” emphasized the importance of choosing particular plants that deer will not be attracted to. He suggested placing less appealing plants, such as basil and mint, at the outside edges of the garden and planting other plants within those beds. 
Mr. Drzewucki also reported that tougher and more brittle leaves and thorny plants are less appealing to deer.

Mr. Strubel, the general manager of the Bayberry House and Garden Center, took the approach of dealing with deer prior to their invasion of gardens. He explained that deer are creatures of habit and adaptation and must be dealt with consistently. He said there is no such thing as a “once and for all” solution.

While an 8-foot-high fence is currently considered tall enough to keep deer out, Mr. Strubel said he believes deer may adapt and learn to clear that height. He also suggested that any repellents must be rotated; otherwise the deer will adapt to overcome those deterrents as well.

Further, he said that research shows it is more effective to use a taste-based repellent in the springtime and then switch to a odor-based repellent in the fall.

Among the best repellents, according to the panelist, are rotten eggs. The most useful taste-repellent, Thiram pesticide, can protect even the most appetizing plants, such as taxus, arborvitae and hosta.

Gardeners using spray repellents need to remember that even small amounts of rain may wash them away sooner than the information on the label might suggest. Some repellents may need to be applied as frequently as once a week, according to Mr. Strubel and Mr. Drzewucki.

Several of the audience members at the event also shared some of their deer deterrent tactics, including the use of human hair clippings, which they said will keep deer at bay. Mr. Drewucki added that male hair seems to work best.

Though not the intended focus of the discussion, reducing the size of the deer herd became a hot topic during the talk. One element of the debate that has to be considered, Mr. Strubel said, is “the Bambi effect,” which he described as opposition to the idea of culling the herd because deer are so often perceived as “cute” animals.

Several members of the audience wanted to know how to get local politicians to take action to stem the continual increase in the size of the deer population.

According to Mr. Strubel, the answer is simple: “Lobby, lobby, lobby,” he said.

The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons will hold its free annual end of season sale on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bridgehampton Community House. For additional information about the group and upcoming events, call 537-2223 or visit hahgarden.com.