Deer can turn a beautiful garden into an eaten mess very quickly. Keeping deer from eating your garden means using a few different tricks together. The best ways to stop deer involve fences, smells or tastes they don’t like (repellents), planting things they usually don’t eat, and using things that scare them. This guide will help you protect your plants from deer damage using these methods and more.
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Decoding Why Deer Visit Your Garden
Why do deer eat your garden plants? It’s simple. Your garden is a food source. Deer are looking for easy meals. Gardens often have tasty plants that are easy to find and eat.
Deer like many different plants. They are especially drawn to young, tender leaves and flowers. Vegetables and fruits are also very appealing to them. A garden is like a buffet for deer, offering lots of good food in one place. This is why deer browse prevention is a big job for gardeners.
Deer visit gardens more when their natural food is hard to find. This can happen in dry times or when there are too many deer in one area. They learn where the good food is and keep coming back.
Building Barriers: Fences To Stop Deer
Building a garden fence to deter deer is one of the best ways to protect your plants. A strong fence is a sure physical block. Deer cannot get past it to eat your garden goodies.
Choosing The Right Fence
Deer can jump high. This is important when picking a fence.
* Tall Fences: A fence needs to be tall enough to stop them from jumping over. Deer can jump 6 to 8 feet high, sometimes even higher if they feel pushed. So, a fence of 8 feet or more is often needed to fully protect your garden from deer damage.
* Angled Fences: A fence that slants outwards at the top can make it harder for deer to judge the jump. They may not try to jump it at all. Even a shorter fence, like 6 feet, might work if it is angled out at the top.
* Double Fences: Two shorter fences placed about 5 to 10 feet apart can also trick deer. They don’t like to jump into a small space between fences. This is a good option if a very tall fence is not possible.
Types of Deer Fencing
There are different materials and styles for effective deer browse prevention.
- Woven Wire Fences: These fences use wire mesh or netting. They are quite strong and last a long time. The openings in the mesh should be small enough so deer don’t get caught.
- Plastic Mesh Fences: These are lighter and easier to put up than wire fences. They are often black and hard to see, which is good for looks. However, they may not be as strong as wire fences. Snow or falling branches can break them.
- Electric Fences: Electric fences give a small shock to deer that touch them. Deer learn to stay away. Electric fences don’t have to be as tall as other fences. A few wires at different heights (like 2, 4, and 6 feet) can work. Some use peanut butter or aluminum foil flags on the wires to make deer touch them with their noses and get the message quickly.
- High-Tensile Fences: These are very strong fences using tight wires. They are often used in farms but can work for large gardens. They last a very long time.
Setting Up Your Deer Fence
Putting up the best deer fencing options takes some work.
- Make it Tight: The fence needs to be pulled tight. Loose fences are easier for deer to get through or under.
- Go To The Ground: Make sure the fence goes all the way down to the ground. Deer can and will try to crawl under fences. You might need to bury the bottom edge a little or add rocks or logs along the bottom.
- Have a Strong Gate: Don’t forget the gate! It must be as tall and strong as the fence itself. Make sure it closes tightly. Leaving a gate open even once teaches deer they can get in.
Building a fence is a big job and costs money. But for many gardens, it is the most reliable way of keeping deer out of vegetable gardens and flower beds for good.
Applying Repellents: Smells And Tastes Deer Hate
Using deer repellent for gardens is another key way to protect your plants. Repellents make plants smell or taste bad to deer. This makes them want to eat something else.
How Repellents Work
Most deer repellents work in one of two ways:
1. Scent Repellents: These smell bad to deer, making them stay away. Things like rotten eggs, animal parts (like hair or urine), or strong-smelling oils (like garlic or mint) are used.
2. Taste Repellents: These make the plant taste bitter or hot to deer. Ingredients like hot pepper, soap, or bittering agents are common. Deer take one bite and don’t like it, so they stop eating.
Some products use both smell and taste to be more effective.
Types Of Deer Repellents
You can buy ready-to-use repellents or make your own.
- Commercial Repellents: Many brands are available. They come as sprays or granular products. Sprays are good for leaves and flowers. Granular products are spread on the ground around plants. Look for products approved for use on food plants if you are protecting vegetables. Read the label carefully to see how often to apply it and if it is safe for your plants.
- Homemade Deer Repellent Recipes: Making your own repellent can be cheaper and lets you use natural things. These are good natural ways to keep deer away.
Here are a few simple recipes:
Recipe 1: Rotten Egg Spray (Scent-Based)
- Mix 3-4 raw eggs with a gallon of water.
- Let it sit for a few days in a warm place to get stinky (be warned, it smells bad to humans too!).
- Strain the mix through cheesecloth to remove egg bits that could clog a sprayer.
- Add a tablespoon of cooking oil or dish soap. This helps the spray stick to leaves.
- Put in a spray bottle and spray on plants deer like to eat.
Recipe 2: Hot Pepper Spray (Taste-Based)
- Mix 2 tablespoons of hot pepper sauce (like Tabasco) or cayenne pepper powder with a gallon of water.
- Add a tablespoon of dish soap to help it stick.
- Let it sit overnight.
- Strain it well before putting it in a sprayer.
- Spray leaves, but be careful not to spray near your eyes or skin. Wash hands well after using.
Recipe 3: Soap Spray (Scent and Taste)
- Mix small pieces of strong-smelling bar soap (like Irish Spring) with water. About 1 cup of soap pieces per gallon of water.
- Let soap dissolve (may take time). You can heat the water slightly.
- Strain before spraying.
- Spray on plants. Some people just hang bars of soap in mesh bags from branches.
Using Repellents Right
For deer repellent for gardens to work well, you need to use it correctly.
- Apply Often: Repellents wash off in rain or need to be reapplied as new leaves grow. Follow label instructions for how often to spray. Homemade ones might need spraying more often (like after every rain).
- Spray New Growth: Deer love tender new leaves. Make sure to spray new shoots and buds as they appear.
- Spray What They Eat: Focus spraying on plants that deer are eating or are likely to eat.
- Change It Up: Deer can get used to a repellent if you use the same one all the time. It’s a good idea to switch between different types of repellents (like a scent one then a taste one) or different products every few weeks. This keeps the deer guessing.
- Consider Wind and Rain: Don’t spray just before heavy rain is expected. Spray on a calm day so the spray goes where you want it.
Repellents are a good way to protect garden from deer damage, especially for smaller gardens or areas where a fence isn’t practical. They are a key part of deer browse prevention.
Picking Plants Deer Avoid: A Deer Resistant Plants List
No plant is 100% deer-proof. If deer are hungry enough, they will eat almost anything. But some plants are less tasty to them than others. Using deer resistant plants list in your landscaping can help reduce damage. These are good deer deterrents for landscaping.
Deer tend to avoid plants that have certain traits:
* Strong Scents: Plants with strong smells often deter deer. Herbs like rosemary, mint, sage, and lavender are examples.
* Fuzzy or Hairy Leaves: Plants with fuzzy or rough leaves are less appealing to deer. Lamb’s ear is one such plant.
* Thorns or Spines: Plants with sharp parts are not fun for deer to eat. Roses (though deer still eat the buds), holly, and some berry bushes are examples.
* Poisonous Plants: Deer usually know to avoid plants that are toxic to them.
Here is a list of some plants deer tend to leave alone. Remember, this is not a guarantee, but these plants are usually safer choices for your garden:
- Flowers: Marigolds, Zinnias, Foxglove, Coneflower (Echinacea), Bleeding Heart, Peonies, Salvia, Snapdragons, Lavender, Yarrow, Astilbe, Oriental Poppies.
- Shrubs: Boxwood, Japanese Spirea, Common Lilac, Weigela, Forsythia, Holly, Barberry, potentilla.
- Groundcovers/Perennials: Lamb’s Ear, Sedum, Ajuga, pachysandra, vinca, ferns.
- Herbs: Rosemary, Mint, Sage, Thyme, Oregano.
- Some Vegetables: While deer love many veggies, some are less favored like onions, garlic, and rhubarb (leaves are toxic).
Plants deer often love include hostas, impatiens, certain types of roses, hydrangeas, tulips, and many common vegetable crops like beans, peas, lettuce, and most fruits. Knowing what deer like helps you know what to protect most.
When choosing plants for your garden and landscaping, mix deer-resistant varieties with more tempting ones. Place the less favored plants around the ones deer like best. This is a simple way to use deer deterrents for landscaping.
Other Ways To Scare Deer Away
Fences and repellents are the main tools for deer browse prevention. But other things can also help scare deer or make them uncomfortable in your garden. These are more natural ways to keep deer away, though their success can vary greatly.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
These sprinklers turn on suddenly when a deer walks in front of them. The sudden noise, movement, and spray of water can startle deer and make them run away. If this happens a few times, they might learn to avoid the area.
* Pros: Can be very effective for small areas. Uses water you might use anyway.
* Cons: Only covers a limited space. Can be set off by pets or people. Needs a water connection. May not work once deer get used to them.
Noise Deterrents
Loud noises can frighten deer. This could be things like radios, bells, or even special noise-makers sold for wildlife control.
* Pros: Simple idea.
* Cons: Deer often get used to constant noise quickly. Loud noises can bother neighbors. May not be practical for large areas.
Visual Deterrents
Deer are sometimes scared by things they don’t expect or recognize.
* Shiny Objects: Hanging old CDs, aluminum foil strips, or reflective tape from trees or stakes can flash and move in the wind, which might scare deer.
* Scarecrows: Traditional scarecrows are sometimes used, but deer are smart and learn they aren’t real threats. Moving the scarecrow often or adding lights or sound might help a little.
* Predator Signs: Some people place fake eyes (like on balloons) or pictures of predators (like coyotes) around the garden. The idea is to make deer think a predator is nearby.
* Motion Lights: Bright lights that suddenly turn on when motion is detected can startle deer, especially at night when they are most active.
Scent Markers
While scent repellents cover plants, other strong scents can also deter deer from an area.
* Human Hair/Soap: Some people sprinkle human hair clippings (from a barber shop) or hang bars of strong-smelling soap around the garden edge. The human scent or strong soap smell might keep deer away.
* Predator Urine: Products containing the urine of predators like coyotes or bobcats are sold. The smell might make deer feel unsafe. Follow instructions carefully when using these products.
Companion Planting
Some gardeners believe planting strong-smelling plants among their vegetables can help. For example, planting garlic or onions around carrots or lettuce. The idea is the strong smell hides the smell of the tasty plants. This is more of a theory than a proven method for serious deer problems.
These other deterrents are often best used as part of a larger plan, combined with fences or repellents, for better deer browse prevention. They are less reliable on their own for keeping deer out of vegetable gardens when deer pressure is high.
Keeping Deer Out Of Vegetable Gardens
Vegetable gardens are often the most tempting target for deer because they contain so many delicious, tender plants. Protecting a vegetable garden from deer damage usually requires the most serious effort.
- Fencing is King: For most serious vegetable growers, a tall, secure fence is the best answer. As discussed earlier, 8 feet or taller is ideal. Make sure there are no gaps and the gate is always closed. This is the most reliable way for keeping deer out of vegetable gardens.
- Netting for Crops: For individual beds or rows of very attractive crops (like berries or young greens), you can cover them with fine mesh netting draped over hoops or a simple frame. This keeps deer from reaching the plants directly. Make sure the netting is held down at the edges so deer can’t push under.
- Combine Repellents: Use approved repellents on or around your vegetable plants. Make sure the product label says it is safe for use on food crops. Reapply often, especially after rain or watering.
- Protect Young Plants: Young seedlings and new sprouts are very vulnerable. Use individual cages or netting covers for these small plants until they are bigger.
- Strong Smells Nearby: While not foolproof, planting things like garlic, onions, or strongly scented herbs like rosemary around the edges of the vegetable patch might offer some small extra protection.
Protecting a vegetable garden needs constant watch and likely a mix of methods. Fencing provides the main protection, and repellents or netting add extra layers of defense. This multi-pronged approach is essential for deer browse prevention in areas with high deer activity.
Bringing It All Together: Combining Strategies
The best way to protect garden from deer damage is usually to use more than one method at once. Deer are smart and can get used to one type of deterrent. But if they face several different challenges, they are more likely to give up and go find food somewhere else.
Think of it like this:
* A fence is the main wall.
* Repellents are like bad-smelling guards around the wall.
* Deer-resistant plants are like placing less interesting things near the wall.
* Motion sprinklers or lights are like alarms.
When you use these together, the deer problem becomes much harder for them to solve. This combined method offers the best deer browse prevention.
For example:
* You might put up a fence (garden fence to deter deer).
* Inside the fence, you might spray a taste repellent on plants (deer repellent for gardens).
* Around the fence, you might plant strong-smelling flowers or herbs (deer resistant plants list, deer deterrents for landscaping).
* Near the gate or a known entry point, you might place a motion-activated sprinkler (natural ways to keep deer away).
This layering of defenses makes your garden less inviting and harder to access.
Monitoring And Adapting
Deer behavior can change. What worked last year might not work this year. Keep an eye on your garden.
* Look for Signs: Check plants for signs of deer eating (torn leaves, missing buds). Look for deer tracks or droppings.
* See What’s Working: If you see deer damage, figure out where they are getting in or what method is failing.
* Adjust Your Plan: If deer are jumping your fence, maybe add a second fence or angle the top. If they are eating plants you sprayed, switch repellents or spray more often. If they ignore your sprinklers, try a different deterrent.
Deer browse prevention is an ongoing task. Being ready to change your tactics is key to long-term success in keeping deer out of vegetable gardens and all your garden areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deer In Gardens
Here are answers to some common questions about dealing with deer.
Q: Will planting a lot of strong-smelling herbs really stop deer?
A: Strong-smelling plants can sometimes deter deer from nearby plants, but they are usually not enough on their own to stop hungry deer from entering a garden or eating tasty plants they find. They work best as part of a bigger plan.
Q: Are granular deer repellents better than sprays?
A: It depends. Sprays stick to leaves and buds, making the plant taste or smell bad when eaten. Granular products are spread on the ground and create a smell barrier around an area. Sprays are better for protecting specific plants; granular products are better for marking a boundary. Rain can affect both, so reapplying is needed.
Q: How high does a fence need to be to stop deer?
A: To reliably stop deer from jumping over, a fence usually needs to be at least 8 feet tall. In some areas with very determined deer, even taller might be needed. Lower fences can work if they are angled outwards or used as part of a double fence system.
Q: Can deer eat plants listed as “deer resistant”?
A: Yes. No plant is completely deer-proof. “Deer resistant” means deer are less likely to eat that plant compared to others, but they will eat almost anything if they are hungry or there are no other food sources.
Q: How often should I reapply deer repellent?
A: This depends on the product and the weather. Commercial repellents have instructions on the label. Homemade repellents usually need to be reapplied more often, especially after rain or watering, and as new plant growth appears. Checking plants weekly and reapplying as needed is a good plan.
Q: Are motion-activated sprinklers always effective?
A: Motion sprinklers can be very effective at first by surprising deer. However, deer can get used to them over time, especially if they figure out there is no real danger. They work best when moved around or used along with other deterrents.
Q: What’s the most important thing for keeping deer out of vegetable gardens?
A: For most people dealing with deer, a well-built, tall fence (8 feet or more) is the most reliable way to protect a vegetable garden. Combining it with repellents adds even more protection.
Dealing with deer in the garden can be frustrating, but by using a mix of strategies like good fencing, effective repellents, smart plant choices, and other deterrents, you can greatly reduce deer damage and enjoy your garden. Deer browse prevention is an ongoing challenge, but with the right tools and a little effort, you can keep your plants safe.