If you are planning your deer resistant garden, you might check out Rutgers list.

rutgers.eduhttps://njaes.rutgers.edu › deer-resistant-plants

Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance (Rutgers NJA

I have had luck with category A. This is how they are rated. I have flirted with B but in the words of Clint Eastwood, "Do you feel lucky?" In my case, with half of my property wooded and half lawn, deer are plentiful. There are up to a thirteen in the winter months so any that I have success with should be safe to try, assuming you only have a few visitors, I can make few promises about Woodchucks but as they are small, they can't do the kind of damage that a herd of deer can achieve.

Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance

The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey.

Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Severely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions.

KEY:

A = Rarely Damaged
B = Seldom Severely Damaged
C = Occasionally Severely Damaged
D = Frequently Severely Damaged

As the song goes, "I like big butts and I cannot lie." That goes for my love of Woodchucks. Before you decide that they are here to ruin your garden, a few facts. They will dig a hole and in that burrow they will have their babies so if you attempt to trap and move the adult, be aware that the babies can't survive. But you will not have a family past the summer. The young will move out, none of that 'failure to launch" stuff. Only the adult will stay behind and sleep underground all winter until it is time for the Feb. 2nd weather report. P.S. The babies are adorable and are quick to run if they hear you.

I never had an issue with the groundhog(s).  Once in a while, one wanders into the yard from behind the garage at back of property.  Whatever holes they dig are out of sight between properties and I don't care. 

Sometimes birds get under the framed netting we use to protect our blueberry bushes.  They get trapped inside and we have to help them out.  Assuming they're eating the berries, they don't put a noticeable dent in the yield. We can share a little.

bub said:

I never had an issue with the groundhog(s).  Once in a while, one wanders into the yard from behind the garage at back of property.  Whatever holes they dig are out of sight between properties and I don't care. 

Sometimes birds get under the framed netting we use to protect our blueberry bushes.  They get trapped inside and we have to help them out.  Assuming they're eating the berries, they don't put a noticeable dent in the yield. We can share a little.

Wonderful and now that you have told me this, I've been considering trying blueberries. I guess I would need netting to protect them from the deer. If you have pictures of your framed system, feel free to post. I have 6 deer today lounging and I think I've spotted a mom to be.

I've tried to lure Goldfinches who love Coneflowers but the Woodchucks do as well. Last year I attracted Goldfinches with Zinnias that I started from seed and the Woodchucks didn't eat them. But following the advice to take time to stop and smell the "Zinnias", this youngster decided it was worth even bending over backwards.

blueberry cage.  I'll dig up manufacturer name

I think it's this but if you Google "crop cage" you'll find others:  https://www.gardeners.com/buy/crop-cage-4x8/8596539.html?cq_med=pla_with_promotion&cq_net=x&cq_plac=&cq_plt=gp&cq_pos=&g_acctid=543-582-4261&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=PMAX_NB_NCA_TP_EE&g_campaignid=21850149346&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX_NB_NCA_TopPerfomers&utm_term=&SC=GGLPLA&gad_source=4&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKfHTrOWXuSM8v4oj_6bUdc7jVAtHoa0o6ffMavLXlRVux5sMZeSuSwaAjLQEALw_wcB

bub said:

I think it's this but if you Google "crop cage" you'll find others:  https://www.gardeners.com/buy/crop-cage-4x8/8596539.html?cq_med=pla_with_promotion&cq_net=x&cq_plac=&cq_plt=gp&cq_pos=&g_acctid=543-582-4261&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=PMAX_NB_NCA_TP_EE&g_campaignid=21850149346&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX_NB_NCA_TopPerfomers&utm_term=&SC=GGLPLA&gad_source=4&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKfHTrOWXuSM8v4oj_6bUdc7jVAtHoa0o6ffMavLXlRVux5sMZeSuSwaAjLQEALw_wcB

Thank you for posting this. I consider how overwhelming gardening is for newcomers. I think with the rising price of produce, particularly for those of us who want to stick with organic this might appeal to those with a green thumb. 

I've dreamed of adding a greenhouse to my garden but something like this might be a good steppingstone.

The Bees are awake! For all of us who delay removing leaves in the fall and wait for late spring it is always rewarding to spot the first Bees dancing about the leaves and sipping the nectar of such early bloomers as Andromeda or Pieris Japonica. 

I've photographed one of the Bees happily drinking nectar from one of my Andromedas.

As this is all about our local wildlife, I promise that these plants love our clay soil and are ignored by our deer friends. They are stars in the early spring garden when daffodils and forsythia are abundant. Add daffodils to your list. They are one of the rare bulbs that are not eaten by our fuzzy neighbors.

So why are we fussy about leaving the leaves and celebrating the appearance of the first bees? 

From 

USAFactshttps://usafacts.org › articles › what-is-the-l…

How much have US bee populations fallen, and why?

US bee populations have steadily declined over the past few decades. While commercial honey bee colonies have received attention from the CDC to restore stability, wild bee populations continue to dwindle.

The importance of bees cannot be overstated, as they are responsible for pollinating 80% of flowering plants. In the US, honey bees pollinate $15 billion in agricultural products each year, including more than 130 types of fruit, nuts, and vegetables.

Pollinators, including honey bees and wild bees, add up to $200 billion annually in ecological services. These include their vital role in producing food for wildlife, maintaining soil health, and keeping water clean, in addition to their role in pollinating agricultural products.

Several factors, including pesticides, parasites, and habitat loss, are responsible for the decline in bee colonies nationwide.

Another visitor who is not only harmless but should be welcomed is the Opossum. They eat ticks and never carry rabies and from my point of view are very cute. The feet alone qualify them for the cute department. 

They visit at night, and for those who care for TNR'd (Trap, Neuter, Return) cats, they will scavenge any leftover cat food. Bird seed seems to attract them as well. As they can suffer from frostbite, they tend to look for a safe space to snuggle. I've learned from a friend that they like feral cat shelters with a bit of straw, (never hay) inside for bedding.

The first pictures are from my yard.

These online pictures better illustrate their charm.

I'm not ready to post about Squirrels but I ran across this solution that Maine is adopting.

"Maine is the first to do this. I'm happy. We are pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at improving wildlife safety: Squirrel Skywalks. These specially designed bridges are being constructed to provide safe passage for squirrels across busy roads. This project is part of our ongoing efforts to make Maine's roads safer by reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. The goal is to have Squirrel Skywalks installed on every major road throughout the state by the end of 2026. We expect these new wildlife crossings to reduce the cost of our roadkill cleanup efforts by up to 7%."

Possums are strange primordial creatures.  We used to have a big bush/small tree next to out front porch.  We'd be out there sitting and talking at night and when you looked to the side at the bush/tree, you'd often see a possum stretched out on a limb "playing possum."

Saw this from the Fox Project. I still say be careful. A feral who took over my yard became deaf and I did run out to scare away an approaching fox as she napped. If you know of outdoor kittens please notify a rescue. I'm happy to help.

The Fox Project

at the Great Swamp Watershed trails

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

at the Great Swamp Watershed trails

Wow, I love frogs. I wonder if they are really enchanted princes.

Its easy to spot raccoons. You may notice their distinctive paw prints, or could you actually call them handprints. For those who care for community cats, (trap, neuter, return cats) you may attract visitors if you leave the food out, which communities discourage. 

Nevertheless, raccoons have clever little noses, so a slightly open garbage can attract these beasties. Last night I was rewarded with the sight of two youngsters playing tag, to the entertainment of my indoor cats, observing them through the French doors. Couldn't get a picture but some past youngsters have been quite bold.

Montague Place, South Orange

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Montague Place, South Orange

I have had as many as 13 in my yard. But the fun now is playing "spot the pregnant doe." My deer picture file suggests first birth should be in about 4 weeks.

And for folks looking to plant for deer resistance, I've had 30 years of experience here. Love the shot of the doe sizing up the flowering cherry.

Morganna said:

I have had as many as 13 in my yard. But the fun now is playing "spot the pregnant doe." My deer picture file suggests first birth should be in about 4 weeks.

And for folks looking to plant for deer resistance, I've had 30 years of experience here. Love the shot of the doe sizing up the flowering cherry.

The flowering cherry took a couple of hits while I was trying to get a photo. It was too fast for me to get it taking a bite from the tree.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

The flowering cherry took a couple of hits while I was trying to get a photo. It was too fast for me to get it taking a bite from the tree.

I've been flirting with the idea of getting one of those mounted cameras to catch the night stalkers. I do see some nighttime activity during chronic mid-sleep wakefulness but I'm sure they are rocking out while I'm asleep. 

I bet you'd enjoy that.  Our neighbor put up a trail cam behind his garage for a while and caught all sorts of interesting characters.

After this discussion started, we discovered we have doves trying to build a nest in the exhaust tube coming from our upstairs bathroom fan.  I don't think there are eggs yet.  I've been spraying peppermint oil and playing hawk sounds on my iphone to scare them.   If there are eggs, I'd wait out the season.  Don't want to kill anything and don't want eggs rotting up there either.  Would much rather have birds than squirrels in the attic, which we had in the distant path.  

mjc said:

I bet you'd enjoy that.  Our neighbor put up a trail cam behind his garage for a while and caught all sorts of interesting characters.

I keep getting caught up in the details. Not sure which one is the best. I also have considered setting one up in my house to catch the behind the scenes behavior of my cats.

And they also enjoy watching the wildlife.

What's not on the deer menu?

Pieris Japonica, also called Andromeda. Loves our clay soil, draped in pearl like flowers in spring. Evergreen. 

Of course daffodils are one of the few bulbs that deer ignore and they multiply! 

When a squirrel shares their diet tips, don't assume they are nuts.

This clever squirrel told me that eating upside down allows food to nourish the brain without thickening the waistline! And this one is smart enough to convince me to continue buying those suet cakes!!

Adding a brushtail possum to the queue.

Check that malevolent stare!

marksierra said:

Adding a brushtail possum to the queue.

Check that malevolent stare!

I showed this picture to one of my cats, to which he replied, "He's got nothing."

Vampire Cats, the legend lives.

If you are buying annuals and looking for deer and woodchuck resistant choices, I have had years of luck with marigolds and annual salvia, I've just planted them but to get an idea of how they look in full bloom this is from a previous summer.

Anyone looking for a deer resistant, herb that is a pretty invasive ground cover?

I planted chocolate mint and it does smell and taste like chocolate. The mint family is known to spread freely but it helped fill in an area. 

Happy to share.