Gardening in Deer Country (Gardening Guides Series)

Rating:
Summary: A great start for the beginning deer gardener
Review: A major portion of Gardening in Deer Country is devoted to providing descriptions of deer resistant plants and their growing requirements. The novice gardener will find these descriptions extremely helpful. However, color pictures of the plants would be immensely helpful. The one thing I find annoying about this book is it defines the probability a plant may be eaten by deer as: Rarely, Seldom, Occasionally, Frequently or Absolutely NOT. I question the legitimacy of such detailed breakdowns, as deer are very similar to people regarding food. First, both people and deer have regional food preferences (e.g., Italian food verses Chinese). Deer in my neighborhood may love the same plant that deer in your neighborhood hate. Second, individual deer, like humans, have their own preferences. For example, I love garlic but my mother hates it. As such, it would be much more accurate and useful if the author categorized plants into one of three groups: Rarely, Occasionally and Frequently. This would also help eliminate discussions between confused gardeners and garden center staff trying to quantify the difference between rarely, seldom and, occasionally.

This book is the perfect companion to Deer Proofing Your Yard & Garden, by Rhonda Massingham Hart. The one area where Deer Proofing Your Yard & Garden is weak, plant descriptions, is the area where Gardening in Deer Country excels.

Rating:
Summary: Finally a way to allow all of us to live together peacefully
Review: Gardening in Deer Country is a life savior. I was so frustrated with planning and planting my garden only to have it destroyed by the native deer. Now I have a way to live in peace and enjoy nature; I am guided to plants that are unappetizing to the deer yet pleasing to me. Thank goodness for the book of the season.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful guide!
Review: This is a very helpful book listing plants that deer prefer not to eat. Of course, there are no guarantees but the listings, plant descriptions and index should help just about everyone living in deer country.