Backyard Agrarian

Plants: It is important to consider plants as part of any plan to protect a property against bushfires. To make a garden as safe as possible, selection of plant species is as important as garden design.  While no plant is fireproof, many have features that minimise the extent to which they contribute to the spread of fire. Suitable species can be planted as bushfire screens to protect buildings from wind and radiant heat.

Trees: Eucalypts, callistemons and melaleucas have high levels of volatile oil and burst into flames on heating, increasing fire intensity. They should not be grown close to buildings. Introduced deciduous and evergreen hardwoods have the lowest amount of volatile oil. Trees with loose, fibrous or stringy bark should be avoided because this can easily ignite and encourage fire to spread through the crown of trees. Fire-retardant trees can trap embers and sparks and reduce wind speeds near your house if positioned correctly.

Don't freak out if you find a deer nibbling on something in your garden.  In the grand scheme of things, it's ok.  Really.  It is. That said, we do understand that people don't like their gardens to be destroyed by strangers and that sometimes the inviting habitat you have created in your garden is just a little bit TOO inviting.  

There are two main strategies for deterring deer from nibbling your niceties. First, plant plants that they don't really like. See below for lists of deer resistant plant varieties.   

Second, create physical barriers so that deer do not have easy access to your garden.  Pay attention to where the deer come and go and create living fences in those locations.  Even better, create a living fence that has food for the deer on the outside so that they will be stopped and satiated all at the same time! Toby Hemenway, author of the incredible permaculture guide, Gaia's Garden (which you should buy and read), says it's a great idea to create a "deer-deflecting food hedge, with wildlife plants on the outside, but human used varieties on the side towards the house."    

There are a few other things you can do to protect your plants.  Young trees are particularly susceptible to having the bark chewed from their trunks.  Deer will also rub their antlers on larger trees.  You can purchase inexpensive tree wrap or tree guard at your local hardware store.  This is not pretty but is a very effective protection.

Fencing is also a great option.  You have to build a really high fence, though to keep deer out.  Many people also like to put small fencing around individual or small groups of plants during their delicate stages. This is sort of ugly and may make you think your plants are in jail, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Territorial Seed Company's  deer resistant flower mix contains a great selection of seed varieties.  This is a mixture that happens to do very well in Colorado climates.  Think twice before planting a flower mix though.  Often it can look messy and disorganized, although it can be perfect in certain locations, especially larger expanses or rough hillsides.  We recommend purchasing seeds or starts individually and placing them exactly where you want them in your garden for a more finished appearance. 

The Colorado Agricultural Extension offers this comparison of Colorado plants and their palatability to deer.