I have been using netting and it works great against birds. Last year it allowed a skunk to get in though. I went to the store and did some errands and lucky for me it was gone when I got back. I have also had big black rat snakes get caught up in the netting. It is a real surprise when you go to work in your vineyard and come face to face with a large snake staring at you at eye level a foot or two away.

I was wondering if perhaps some sort of motion detector which could trigger deer predator sounds might work. The deer did not bother the grape shoots this year but it (they) ate the lower leaves on the plum and peach tree.

"Ric" > wrote in message .com...
Hey there fellow home vineyardist - I'm in northern california; have got a 150 vine vineyard (syrah, marsanne, cabernet sauvignon). Deer are plentiful here, and a problem for the vines. It's not so much a fruit issue (the birds are the real predators there) but the deer willcome in and eat the early leaves and shoots. I have not tried the egg thing - but I put up a fence. Just too much damage from the "rats with antlers".

On my way this weekend to pick up some new netting. Lost most of the Syrah to birds last year.


"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message ...
For the first time in the eight years I have been living at my residence here in Central Maryland, I have spotted Deer - Momma and Fawn eating roses and other plants on or near my property. I do not live in the country but am only a short distance from woods and farm fields.

I have a 112 vine backyard vineyard that I am now concerned about. I have been told that one beaten egg per gallon of waterand stirred in the water and sprayed on the vines will deter deer - I have been told this by a commercial grower. They seem to hate the albumen in egg. It is not practical for commercial growers but may work for my 0.06 acre vineyard.

Anyone have any experience with this problem and have other possible solutions? I usually put up my netting around the first of August but may speed up the schedule this year. Of course, if the deer has a real taste for grapes the netting may not stop them.

The animals may be seeking revenge this year. Also for the first time I spotted a fox in the vineyard and the groundhogs are getting brave and even coming onto the deck and eating potted plants. As if the 13 inches of rain in less than a week wasn't bad enough, now I have critter problems.