Yes, this is an old thread, and I really enjoyed it. Everyone here has beautiful gardens and landscaped areas.
I live on 12 acres in the northern California Sierra foothills. I have problems with deer, as they have eaten a hole in my purse! I won't bore you with the details, but I do now have a fenced garden area where I have mixed beds which all have irises in them. White Flower Border, The Dark Side Garden, The Hot Bed, The Shady Garden Spot, and some areas with no names...and an L-shaped strawberry bed, and an asparagus bed.
Just this summer, I purchased quite a few irises and have placed them in a dedicated iris bed along with putting them in my raised garden beds which are mainly used for summer vegetables. Also a few large pots are added to those, of which I have only left 4 empty for next year's tomatoes. I really didn't need to grow so many varieties, but I enjoyed doing so.
So yes, there are gophers, the main reason for the raised beds. At least the deer and turkeys can't get in.
I am constantly learning about what plants deer will eat or damage. Still, there is a small amount of landscaped space as well. I do have a hard time keeping up with everything, but I don't see what can be eliminated. So there are plenty of weeds to keep me busy year round.
I am in the process of digging new iris beds, as I will need some room for seedlings, as I hope to start hybridizing this coming spring and summer.
