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Plants for Difficult Places

Deodorant soap advice

19 years ago

Over the past few years, I have used "Irish Spring" or equivalent type soaps to keep the deer away from plants. Since I didn't want the bars on stakes all over the place, I would just "sliver" the soap with a knife around the plants. It worked OK for a while, but a few years ago I was pretty upset when they went ahead and chomped off all my sunflower buds anyway!

I now continue to "sliver" the soap, but put it directly on my plants. Specifically my hostas, delhiniums and later this summer , I'll put the soap slivers right in the sunflower blooms. It's worked well for a few years now. No more hosta's being chewed down to the ground in spring either.

Give it a try :)

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Comments (3)

gardener_sandy
19 years ago
I had a problem with deer using my young Leyland Cypress trees to rub the velvet off their antlers. Slivers of Irish Spring in cut up legs from panty hose worked well. I hung them about deer height in the trees and haven't had a problem in about 3 years. I replace them once a season and they blend in well with the tree so they're not too noticeable.
anita0242
19 years ago
I know a guy that sprays a little WD40 on his hostas and the deer won't touch them. Has anyone ever tried that? I'm thinking of trying it since I have about 22 rhodos and it seems easier than hanging soap all around like I usually do.
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loganandkeagansmom
19 years ago
My cousin swears by pieces of fels naptha soap in pantyhose died in a knot and but around plants.

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