Good advice.There are natural deer repellents that you can use to keep critters off them.

"I make a mixture of tobacco juice (buy a bag of Beech Nut Chew and soak it in water) and cayenne pepper and put it into a spray bottle.

I spray all around the plant but not actually on them and it seems to keep them away."

"A small infra red trigger and a can of compressed air.
Deer comes near and pssssstttttttt,deer legs it and never comes back"

How to Make Your Own Deer Repellent for Flowers | Garden Guides
coolslayer Reviewed by coolslayer on . MJ Mulch What do you think? If you took the stems and leaves (if not used or left overs from making hash) then ground them down add some water with a little fertilizer as a binder then compress into plugs or squares. It seems that this part of the plant could be both good for retaining water and act like a fertilizer or just a good over all mulch. In my mind there is energy in the stems. Give me your thoughts or experiences if you have tried it. Rating: 5