Keep the Deer from Eating the Plants in Your Garden

Keep the Deer from Eating the Plants in Your Garden

As a gardening enthusiast, I cherish the sight of deer in the wild, but when those graceful creatures turn my garden beds into their personal snack bar, it’s a different story. To say deer can be a nuisance is putting it mildly; they’re capable of decimating plants overnight. I have been on a mission for some time. I have been determined to find non-harmful ways to protect my beloved garden from these four-legged visitors.

There’s a whole arsenal of strategies available to keep deer at bay. From physical barriers that frustrate their attempts to physical and olfactory deterrents that persuade them to look elsewhere for their next meal, the choices were vast. 

Experimenting with a mix of measures turned out to be essential, as what works like a charm for one gardener might only slightly inconvenience another’s antlered adversaries.

Through trial and error, I pinpointed a few methods that delivered results for me. Short of putting up a fence to keep out my hungry deer, I’ve found the best ways that work for me.

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Understanding Deer Behavior

Before we dive into keeping those hoofed browsers at bay from our gardens, let’s look closely at why they might be strolling in. Understanding deer behavior is about grasping their feeding habits and the things in our yards that are most likely to draw them in.

Deer Habitats and Feeding Patterns

Deer, like the white-tailed deer I often see around, aren’t just meandering aimlessly; they’re on a quest for food, and they’re often hungry, very hungry. Biologists have a modest estimate that deer consume around 6 to 8 pounds of food a day. Honestly, watching them, it feels like more. Their habitats are typically edged areas where the forest meets an open space. Think of it as their perfect dining room because it offers them a variety of food sources.

In my case, our family of deer lives in a forested area on our cul-de-sac that is surrounded by water. We have a whole family and each year we have new fawns who need to eat to grow big and strong enough to find their habitat. This past year we had a Doe with four fawns and for the first time, the Dad (the buck) stuck around for the whole summer. 

These avid climbers and jumpers trek across their home ranges, which can be quite extensive, searching for their next meal. They have a strong sense of smell that guides them to the yummiest and most nutritious snacks, like the tulips I had planted last spring—a big mistake on my part. This year I’ve planted them in my vegetable garden. Fingers crossed they will be ok in that fence area. 

Attractants and Repellents

Now, about keeping deer out of our gardens: it seems my ornamentals and vegetable patch were like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Deer are attracted to an array of plants—herbaceous perennials, vegetables, and fruit trees are their favorites. Their palate can occasionally change based on what’s available, so rotating repellents is key.

Deer doesn’t love all scents and tastes, though. Some homemade repellents work by targeting their sensitive noses and tastebuds. For instance, a funky mix of eggs and baking powder in water—I know, it sounds like a bad recipe—can actually discourage them from chomping on plants. It’s about striking a balance between what’s appealing and what’s off-putting to them.

Effective Deer Strategies

When trying to keep deer out of my garden, I’ve realized it’s all about making my green space less appealing to them. Here are some different methods that have worked for me:

Repellent Sprays and Solutions

Deer love young plants and the tender new buds on plants. You have to start your deterrents early, at the first sign of emerging plants. 

I start the season by spraying the entire perimeter of our yard with Liquid Fence. I started last week as my Hellebore is flowering already and the deer had started to nibble so it’s time to strike with the repellent sprays. The first application of the Invisible Fence is followed one week later by another round of spraying. Then it will be something that I do once a month. 

I have had great success with deer off spray which uses a combination of ingredients like rotten eggs and essential oils to deter deer. It’s a non-toxic option that needs reapplication after rain. For a homemade touch, Plantskydd Animal Repellent Spray has been effective too. It clings well to plants and its main component, blood meal, is a great deterrent.

The combination of the effective deer repellents sprayed around the yard makes my plants as unappealing as possible. 

Scent Deterrents

Talking about smells, deer have sensitive noses and I leverage that to my advantage. I use hot pepper sprays around my plants; the fiery scent keeps them at bay. Sometimes, I’ll strategically place ammonia-soaked rags around the garden’s perimeter. Oddly enough, hanging bars of soap, specifically Irish spring soap from trees also seem to mess with their sense of smell and keep them out.

I have also heard that human hair works but it hasn’t worked for me. It could be the fact that I don’t have easy access to human hair. Maybe if you know a salon owner, you could give it a decent try. 

I’ve tried using predator urine near my garden’s entry points.  Coyote urine works the best for me. The scent gives deer the impression that predators are nearby and the fear of danger is often enough to keep them away.

Auditory and Visual Deterrents

Deer are skittish creatures, so I’ve found that unexpected noises can help. I’ve scattered a few fabric softener strips that flurry in the wind—it’s surprising how well the fluttering noise works. Wind chimes are another option. 

I’ve had a lot of success with using scarecrows. Not the kind with arms, legs, and a funny hat. I use the Scarecrow brand of motion-sensor water sprayers. 

 But just like everything I need to move it around the yard as the deer get used to things. 

Physical Barriers and Fencing

When I started gardening, I quickly realized keeping deer out was going to be a big part of my routine. While I can’t fence our property because of village regulations, it’s an effective solution for many people. The only fence I can have in my yard is a small one around my vegetable garden. It is a testament to the value of a fence. It’s the only place the deer never touch. 

Erecting a fence can be a game-changer, particularly when investing in ones tall enough to challenge even the most ambitious jumper. 

Fence Types and Considerations

• Tall Fences: My first line of defense is often a tall fence, as deer are impressive jumpers, capable of leaping over barriers less than 8 feet high. I’ve learned that height matters—a tall deer fencing needs to be at least 8 feet to prevent them from jumping over.
• Electric Fencing: Sometimes I need a surefire deterrent. That’s where an electric fence comes into play. While it requires careful installation and maintenance, a light shock can be effective. Remember, safety first—I make sure to put up warning signs.
• Stockade Fences: Although more aesthetically pleasing, stockade fences need to be tall and checked regularly for potential gaps that savvy deer might exploit.
• Chicken Wire & Plastic Netting: For smaller plants or raised beds, I’ve used chicken wire or UV-protected plastic netting. This prevents deer from reaching in but doesn’t obstruct my view.
• Double Fencing: In some of my garden patches, I’ve found success with a double fence design. Deer have poor depth perception, so placing two fences about 3-5 feet apart can confuse them.

Table: My Quick Guide to Fencing

Fence Type	Height	Maintenance	Visibility
Tall Fences	8+ ft	Low	Low
Electric Fences	Variable	High	Variable
Stockade Fences	8+ ft	Moderate	High
Chicken Wire	Custom	Low	High
Plastic Netting	Custom	Low	High
Double Fencing	8+ ft	Low	Moderate

Every garden is unique, just like the deer that visit it. I would choose my fencing based on the balance between function and how it fits into my garden’s aesthetic.

Last year we needed some temporary fencing around some tomato plants that we had outside of the fenced vegetable garden. We used plastic netting and steel PVC coated green garden stakes. It lasted for most of the summer but once the deer discovered what was behind it, they plowed the fencing down to the ground. We would put it back up and it was down again the next morning. I think we just got lucky that they didn’t discover it earlier. 

Another thing that I have used and quite by accident is some fishing line. I put some up to keep the geese out of our yard (yes we have many nuisance critters). It also helps to keep the deer at bay.

This however is something I have to be very careful with. I can’t put it in areas where our dog runs. 

Garden Design and Plant Choices

In my experience, the safest bet is to fill my garden with plants that deer find unappetizing. Here’s a list of some deer-resistant plants I like to use in my flower beds and throughout my garden:

• Aromatic plants: Lavender, Sage, Rosemary
• Moisture-rich, but deer-resistant: Lamb’s ear, Russian sage
• For color: Snapdragons, Marigolds

I don’t eliminate the plants that the deers do love but putting these detering plants around them has helped. I’ve found great deer-resistant options that keep my garden looking lovely without becoming a salad bar for deer. 

Strategic Garden Layout

When laying out a vegetable garden and flower beds, I use a few simple strategies to deter deer:

• Barricade with plants: I border my garden with strong-smelling aromatic plants that deer tend to avoid.
• Layering: Tall, deer-resistant plants in the back; low, sturdy plants in the front.

Creating a deer-proof garden isn’t just about what I plant—where I plant it makes a huge difference too.

Maintenance and Monitoring

Once I have a system in place to keep deer at bay, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and maintain that system for the best results. This is all about spotting issues early and tweaking strategies as needed.

Regular Upkeep and Adjustments

It’s a good idea to routinely walk through my garden, checking for any signs of deer. This isn’t just about spotting damage; it’s about preempting it. When I notice things are amiss, I make adjustments promptly. For instance, if I see deer tracks near my garden, I’ll move my motion-activated sprinklers to cover those areas more effectively.

I’ve found that bright lights can deter deer if used unpredictably, so I often change the timing and position of these lights to keep the deer guessing.  Scare tactics can work in a similar way, but deer get wise to static objects pretty quickly. Therefore, I make sure to switch up the location of scare devices—I’ll move my garden scarecrow every few days, and that seems to be one of the most effective ways to make deer think twice about nibbling on my plants.

Remember, it’s all about making slight but significant tweaks to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of my deer deterrent methods.

If you like me to battle deer in your garden, I wish you luck. It’s an ongoing fight for me.

Typically I’m having one or two major events in the summer and I want my gardens to look nice. It also breaks my heart that all of my hard work trying to make my yard look beautiful can get eaten in just days.

Peace and Love,

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