I've left a pile of alfalfa pellets out so that the deer could eat them, and they never touched them. I know for sure that the deer were there, thanks to the trail cam. Same with the bunnies. They never touched it. I always left it out for the bunnies, thinking that if they had a pile of it, they wouldn't need to eat it from around the plants, but there was never any missing!
Dennis, I really enjoy reading your excitement about your new plants. Reminds me of most or all of us when we first got started, and we all still get excited when we get new plants. Your nervousness is very familiar too.
Don't worry, you'll be fine, and so will the plants! You can do this!