I remember the day I looked out of our first house in the suburbs and saw deer grazing in our neighbor's yard across the street. It was so exciting to be confronted with wildlife, majestic animals making their way from an open tract of land that bordered the end of the street. But by the time they found a way into our backyard, I took to banging pots to scare them away from the gardens in which I had so lovingly invested my time. Plus I had to worry about the threat of Lyme disease with our expanding family.
Local nurseries are well aware of the problem of deer feasting in homeowners' gardens.
The building boom in the area has pushed these creatures out of their natural habitats and into our suburban yards. Don't Relish to peruse while shopping. Yet Jeff Deorio of Reynolds warns no list is foolproof. A strong odor, a tart taste or prickly plants. But if there's been a severe winter with heavy snows, deer don't have much to eat and may choose something they might otherwise overlook.