Gardening in deer-prone areas can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. While no plant is completely deer-proof, planting deer-resistant edibles can significantly reduce damage. Vegetables like hot peppers, aromatic herbs, and prickly plants are less appealing to deer, making them excellent choices for your garden.
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Understanding the Challenges of Gardening in Deer-Prone Areas
Deer are naturally attracted to tender, nutrient-rich plants, making leafy greens and root vegetables their favorites. However, plants with strong odors, prickly leaves, or bitter tastes are less appealing. By incorporating these into your garden, you can deter deer and protect more vulnerable crops.
Characteristics of Deer-Resistant Plants
- Aromatic Herbs: Rosemary, sage, mint, and thyme are too pungent for deer.
- Prickly or Fuzzy Leaves: Plants like artichokes and certain ornamental grasses are unappealing.
- Low Moisture Content: Plants like figs and olives, which lack succulent leaves, are often avoided.
Planning a Deer-Resistant Garden
1. Assess Your Local Deer Population
Understanding the feeding habits of deer in your area is crucial. Deer resistance varies based on regional preferences, availability of wild food, and the season. Consult local resources or master gardeners to identify the best plants for your garden.
2. Use Strategic Plant Placement
Plant deer-resistant edibles like hot peppers and herbs along the perimeter of your garden to act as a natural barrier. Place vulnerable plants, such as leafy greens, closer to your home where you can monitor them more easily.
3. Combine Plants with Fencing and Repellents
While deer-resistant plants help, combining them with fencing and organic repellents ensures maximum protection. Consider using Fencing and Netting for physical barriers and Deer Repellent & Deterrents for added protection.
Examples of Deer-Resistant Edibles
- Alliums: Onions, garlic, and leeks are rarely damaged by deer.
- Herbs: Rosemary, sage, and mint are highly aromatic and deer-resistant.
- Fruits: Figs and olives are less appealing due to their texture and sap.
- Vegetables: Hot peppers and artichokes deter deer with their spice and prickliness.
Conclusion
Gardening in deer-prone areas doesn’t have to be a battle. By selecting deer-resistant edibles, using strategic planting techniques, and incorporating fencing and repellents, you can protect your garden while coexisting with deer. Explore our Deer Repellent & Deterrents and Herb Seeds to get started today!
23 comments
I have to say that the deer have destroyed my squash, munched on tomato tops, eaten petunia’s down to nothing, destroyed rhubarb and devoured peppers.
I’m an avid hunter and also maintain food sources for deer on my residential property. I can tell you without question that deer LOVE figs. There may be some species of figs they won’t browse but if I don’t get out and get my figs when they’re ripe, the deer will knock them off the tree and step on them to split them open to eat. If you live in an area where natural habitat isn’t enough to support the number of deer, they WILL eat everything and anything. In the winter when there is no quality food, the deer eat green briar and if that’s gone they’ll eat bark.
The deer eat everything on the list. “Eat” is the operative word here.
I have watched them extensively and this is what they do. They browse along and eat a leaf or the tip of everything they come across, everything. If they don’t like it they then move on. The next deer and the next days it is always the same. Soon all those plants are killed back whether the deer like them or not.
They taste just about everything that grows but they then move on if it is not to their liking. They don’t seem to remember from day to day either. Over and over again, every time they pass. Being retired I have lots of time to sit and observe. Many thoughts regarding deer, but my fence, described in another post here….works! Spendy, but my wife and I have owned three nurseries between us and we love to garden.
I built a fence that works very well! Deer will jump over a 6’ fence.
Cedar boards are only 6’ long. But I made the fence 7-1/2’ high this way:
I used the cedar boards from the ground up like this: I cut 10’ long 4"X4" treated posts down to 9 ft. Sunk them in holes 7-1/2 ft apart so that 7-1/2’ stuck up. I split treated 8 ft. 2" X 4"s in half and using inexpensive 90 degree brackets and short (1") sheet rock screws, I attached these split poles between the fence posts…first at 18" high then 5 ft high and then along the top of the fence posts. I then attached the cedar boards from the ground up using a roofing nailer (cheap at Harbor Freight) to attach the boards to the split poles. Naturally they attach at 2 places…the 18" and 5 ft high split poles. What you have is an attractive fence of cedar 6 ft high and then a split board running along the tops of the fence posts at 7-1/2 ft. The split poles are shortened accordingly.
The deer definitely see this added split board on top and it intimidates them….it is “other than” the cedar fence below. It seems to weird them out. Ribbons could be hung from or attached to the top split board also.
I installed 440 ft. of fence and in 6 years have NEVER had a deer jump it and we have lots of deer. An added bonus is small animals do not get in or out of the yard…Visitors with dogs can let them run free. Our yard is lush with plants…. fruit trees, bushes, and vines…. vegetables and flowers.
Mike, I have not had problems with deer eating my figs, but what may happen if deer browse the tree, and not really eat it (rather tasting it). If many go through and browse it, it could result in a tree with no leaves. Hopefully your fig will come back. But just in case you may want to protect it until it has recovered.