It’s the time of the year that we all have our gardens growing, getting close to producing.  I hear all of the time that when you are just before harvesting, some kind of wild creature comes in the garden and mows it down.  That okra was going to be great, but it’s all of a sudden gone.

Sometimes an electric fence is the answer.  I have had folks tell me that they put the  electric fence up, fold some aluminum foil coated in peanut butter to attract the deer, which in turn will pop him and make him leave you alone.

Putting up an electric fence is expensive, and also troublesome to put up, I know that I don’t have time for or the energy to do it.  So here is a few more suggestions to think about.  Liquid fence is a deer and rabbit repellent that comes ready to use or in a concentrate.  You use 13 oz per galloon of water.  Just spray it around the garden.  Spray around once a month.  

Another brand of repellent is called Deer Scram.  Apply Deer Scram as a protective perimeter band at least 18″ away  from bed or overhanging vegetation.  Sprinkle liberally, visibly covering the ground in a 16″ wide band around the entire group of the plants to be protected. After heavy rainfall you will need to reapply.  

Even your flowers have critters that get eat up by varmits.  Fertilome, my favorite brand, makes a product called Critter GO.  It is a liquid concentrate that fights rabbits, deer, squirrels, and others.  Mix 14oz product with 1 gallon of water and spray directly on the plants.  

We also have Armadillo Scram.  A 6-lb bag covers 3600 square feet.  It is an all natural granular repellant.  Just sprinkle and step back.  

As always, read the label.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)

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