Deer, otherwise known as four-legged munch machines, are a perpetual problem for many Northwest gardeners. Plenty of products on the market promise to repel deer but few do anything but scare the money out of your wallet.

With this in mind, I was curious to see what the Humane Society had to say on the subject. The organization sent me some “non-lethal” solutions for deer.

Here are the tips:

*Deer avoid some plants including mint, geraniums, marigolds, daffodils, foxglove and most ornamental grasses and ferns.

*The most effective way to keep deer away is to install deer-proof-fencing. Fencing options include plastic mesh, electrified polytape, woven wire and electric fence kits which come equipped with a scented lure. (My comment: Does that mean you’d lure the deer to the fence and then ZAP?! Geez.)

*Deer respond best to commercial repellents with a sulfurous odor, which deer associate with a predator.

*Fertilizers made with human sewage offer repellency if sprinkled on the soil and in clumps around the perimeter of the garden. (YUCK.)

Local wildlife biologist Russell Link had a different take on the situation when I interviewed him last fall. Deer will eat just about anything if they’re hungry enough, he said, and male deer can rub the bark right off trees. The best thing to keep deer away? A 6-foot tall fence. He also reminded me that some people love deer nibbling in their garden, and maybe it’s best to make peace (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/09/21/100hg_4hgdebra001.cfm).