With all of the deer that roam my property, I have struggled to grow my own vegetables, outside of some container grown tomatoes on my deck. Yes, I could fence in an area to keep them out, but that is assuming:
A) I have the initiative
B) The time to do so.
Not so much.
I was smart enough to create a raised bed and amend the soil in this bed a few years ago. I am not a complete buffoon. A variety of herbs from basil to rosemary to thyme to oregano to parsley have thrived here. All that was missing were the vegetables. And all I needed to do was find a way to keep the herds out. It seems simple enough but the task eluded me for years.
This spring I bought a bunch of Panicum 'Heavy Metal' because ... well ... that's what I do. I had no plan for where they would be planted so I circled the house 3 to 4 times before settling on a spot surrounding my raised bed. That is when the light bulb went off:
I love grasses
Deer don't like grasses
Why don't I hide my raised bed behind grasses
It was a win/win/win.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to come up with this simple concept but it is what it is. No time to look back and lament.
Here is what the raised bed looks like today:
And all of the tomatoes I planted this year have yet to be touched:
I even harvested a ton of seed grown green beans for the first time:
And I have been eating kale right off the plant for weeks now.
I think I am on to something here.
I plan on adding some cool season grasses as well so there is coverage while the warm season grasses are coming into their own. I also have a bunch of boxwood in the area so it is a garden filled with anti deer venom.
I know, you don't have to say it ... I'm a genius.
And by the way, be on the lookout for an upcoming post from my wife who will tell you about her favorite tomato (you're welcome hon) and a recipe that includes said tomato.
