Tips for a Deer Free Garden

With spring in the air, homeowners are getting their gardens and landscapes ready for a beautiful summer. Rochester Hills is home to a variety of wildlife including white tailed deer. As neighbors look to design their ideal yard, there are different actions residents can take to garden smart and deter deer. Deer Love the Backyard Buffet - Photo by Michael Dwyer Keeping your plants from becoming an appealing snack for animals takes a multi-faceted approach. This starts with planting species … [Read more...]

Coexisting with Deer in the Summer

As the flowers bloom and residents work on outside landscaping, deer become attracted to home gardens. Deer think flowers like hostas, roses, and daylilies are a tasty treat on a summer’s day. It is important to take a multi-faceted approach when trying to keep deer from eating the plants in your garden. This includes planting species that are “deer resistant.” Plants that have prickly foliage, furry leaves, strong scents or tastes are less likely to be eaten. Along with planting these type … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Kicks Off Deer Driver Safety Campaign

As the seasons change and deer begin to be more active, the Deer Management Advisory Committee (DMAC) would like to remind drivers to be vigilant and keep an eye out for deer on the road. According to the Michigan State Police, Each year, there are nearly 50,000 reported vehicle-deer crashes in Michigan. About 80 percent of these crashes occur on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn. The most serious crashes occur when motorists swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or a fixed … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, How do you Keep Critters out of your Garden?

Dear Crabby, I have a Pesky Rabbit eating my Vegetables, How do you Keep Critters out of your Garden? Sincerely, Hopping Mad   Dear Hopping Mad, Ah, yes, the pesky rabbit of the garden. We all have them. They are the cute sidekick of the troublesome deer. Together, they try to rid the world of fruits and vegetables. Normally, I would get on board with this plan, but without the green stuff around it may cause the price of meat to go up ... and steaks cost enough already. But … [Read more...]

‘O’Deer’ comes to the Rochester Hills Museum

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will be presenting "O'Deer" on Saturday, November 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Museum. Admission is free for members of the Rochester Hills Museum. The cost for non-members is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Guests will be learning about the amazing adaptations deer have and how they survive. "O’Deer" will also include fun outdoor games so guests are encouraged to dress for the weather. To register for this … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, My Neighbor’s Yard Looks Nicer Than Mine, Should I Care?

Dear Crabby, We just got some new neighbors whose yard is always kept nice and neat, and my yard is not so nice. It was never an issue until these new people moved in. Now my wife wants me to do something about our yard. What should I do? Sincerely, Happy As Is Guy Dear Happy As Is, Yes, I know the breed of people your new neighbors are, very well. Let me guess: they wear sweater vests, leather loafers, and drive some sort of European vehicle! Yep, I know their type. Probably no … [Read more...]