I bought the cheap stuff twice (different brands) from the clearance shelf at Walmart. So there isn't much cost involved.
This year (for the first time) I weeded and mulched most of the Hostas as they were emerging. Last year, the deer and rabbits destroyed the Hostas right after they were weeded and mulched (which was after they were full size). Deer and rabbits show a very strong preference for the plant they eat to not be mixed in with other plants, especially not with LOTV. So weeding and mulching makes it look nice but also creates the problem.
The Hostas are about 5 inches high now and have a growth spurt each time there is some sun following the previous rain. So I think I need to spray them frequently to cover the new growth.
Earlier this spring, I transplanted a lot of Campanula volunteers from all over my yard to one patch near my front door. Rabbits immediately ate all of it down to the ground, even though they ignore Campanula everywhere else. There is just a bit of recovery in those plants, and I'm using repellent frequently so new growth will be protected. I think I missed my chance to have them flower there this year. But maybe they will recover enough to flower next year. Last year, I waited until the volunteers had flower buds before transplanting there, so I had mediocre flowering there (compared to the more successful transplants in back). But none of the front transplants survived the winter, so I had to try again. The back cluster of last year's transplants have more foliage now than I thought Campanula ever get and look like they are developing two stems for every one I transplanted. Hopefully that will translate into lots of flowers. Nothing ever ate Campanula there, but I'm playing it safe using repellent there as well.
