Deer in the Garden

I despise deer.* They are the bane of my existence in my yard. It's like they have a sixth sense for when my plants are flourishing, and that's when they strike. No matter what I try, they always find a way to munch on my precious greens. It's an ongoing battle, but I’ve found a few strategies that have helped me keep them at bay. First you must…

Understand deer

The most crucial aspect to bear in mind is that deer are creatures of habit. When they discover a reliable food source in a specific location, they tend to revisit it repeatedly until it's depleted. What’s more, they teach their young the same routes and habits, making it difficult to deter them from your yard. This means that any successful strategy must not only be effective in the short-term but also have a lasting impact.

The most effective strategy is to…

Buy a gun

Har har har. But if that's not an option:

Buy plants deer don’t like

Over my years I've noticed the labels on plants have changed from "deer proof" to "deer resistant" to "deer tend to avoid.” That's because if a deer is hungry enough, there's very little it wont eat. I used to buy plants that weren't deer proof, telling myself I'd be diligent about spraying and guess what; I'd miss one week of spraying and the deer would eat it to the ground. I absolutely hated the idea of being limited to certain plants, but it was better then throwing money away on plants that wouldn't last a season. Once I started looking around, I discovered there are a range of beautiful options that deer will walk right past (re: peonies!). So pass on that David Austen rose and put the $40 into an envelope for a rainy day. You'll thank me later.

Deer spray

There are a few different brands, all work about the same, and all smell like rotten garbage. The good news is that it only smells really bad for a day, so try to spray in the evening when you're about to go in for the night or on a day you don't plan on being in your yard. Do this once a month (or every two weeks if you can remember/afford it) and the deer will eventually move on to your neighbor's yards. I spray my hydrangeas, hostas, and knock out roses every three weeks and the deer stay away until October.

Movable electric fence

I put one around my vegetable garden. It's garden-grade (a voltage level that's pet and child safe), and portable, so I can take it down for the winter. You have a choice between a battery operated or solar charging unit, so don't worry about needing an electric line run out to the site. I string one line at bunny height (six inches off the ground), and deer height (about three feet up). My veggies were safe during the spring and summer, but as with my other methods its only effective until fall. A hungry deer will stop at nothing.

Ditch the bird feeders

Deer (and racoons and other vermin for that matter) love the free buffet that takes place at the birdfeeder. Instead of feeding the birds this way, consider planting perennials and shrubs that attract birds and butterflies.

Conclusion

Safeguarding your garden from deer requires a combination of strategies to deter them effectively. By implementing physical barriers like fencing, using scent deterrents, and modifying your landscape with deer-resistant plants, you can create an environment that is less appealing to these hungry animals. Additionally, integrating motion-activated devices and removing bird feeders can further discourage deer from feasting on your plants. Remember, while deer can be persistent, with proactive measures in place, you can enjoy a flourishing garden without constantly battling these graceful yet voracious creatures.

*Disclaimer: If you love deer and want to set me straight, feel free to comment below. I will respectfully disagree as soon as possible.