Many of us have witnessed the results of the adorable deer snacking on our lilies. There is hope! The day lilies at Harpswell’s Town Office look beautiful every summer. Why? Because they have been treated with a home-made deer repellant. It really works! Here is the tried and true recipe:

A Variation of the Deer Repellant Recipe from Maine Fish and Wildlife

Blend well together: 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, yogurt or sour cream, 1/2 Tablespoon dish soap, 1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1 Tablespoon of cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce. Add this mixture to 2 gallons of water, then sprinkle over tulips, hosta, lilies and holly. Do this on new growth, then again every 2-3 weeks in dry weather. It is a good idea to repeat after a heavy rain, too.

Deer-proofed!

Now for weeds! A solution using household products will wilt those weeds, especially the ones on your garden path. Combine a gallon of vinegar, 2 cups of Epsom Salts and 1/2 cup dish soap (Dawn is recommended, but I used another brand, with good results. Put into a spray bottle, and attack those weeds. I made a batch using only half the amounts, and it was more than enough for my walkway. The walkway’s weeds turned brown in just a few hours.

Now that the World Health Organization has declared glyphosate (active ingredient in Round Up) to be carcinogenic, it seems a good time to try out something less lethal. Good luck!