The presence of deer can quickly turn a thriving garden into a frustrating landscape of nibbled plants and broken stems. These animals possess a voracious appetite that causes significant damage to ornamental shrubs, flowers, and vegetable patches. Protecting your garden requires a multi-faceted strategy that incorporates physical barriers, sensory deterrents, and informed planting choices. This comprehensive approach ensures your efforts are practical and effective against persistent browsing pressure.
The Ultimate Barrier: Fencing and Physical Exclusion
Physical exclusion through fencing is often the most reliable method for long-term deer management. A permanent fence must be tall enough to prevent deer from jumping over, typically requiring a height of at least eight feet in open areas. Deer are capable of clearing seven feet or more, and they are more likely to attempt a jump in wide-open spaces.
Various materials can be used for a permanent barrier, including woven wire, high-tensile wire, or heavy-duty plastic mesh. Black polypropylene mesh is a popular, less visually intrusive choice because it blends into the background, making deer hesitant to jump. Securing the bottom of the fence is equally important, as deer often try to push underneath a barrier. Ensure the fence material reaches the ground, or fold the bottom six inches outward and stake it down with galvanized ground stakes.
When a full-height fence is not feasible, a double-fence system is an effective alternative. This design uses two parallel fences, each four to five feet tall, spaced four to five feet apart. The deer’s poor depth perception makes them unwilling to jump into the narrow space between the two fences. Another option is a low-profile electric fence, which uses electrified wire or polytape to deliver a mild shock, conditioning the deer to avoid the area.
Repel and Deter: Scent, Taste, and Motion Tactics
Repellents work by targeting the deer’s highly developed senses of smell and taste, making the garden unappealing. Taste-based repellents often contain ingredients like egg solids, capsaicin (hot pepper), or putrefied meat, which coat the plant and create an unpleasant flavor. Scent-based products use odors that mimic a predator, such as coyote urine, or simply smell offensive to the deer, like blood meal or certain soaps.
The effectiveness of repellents relies on consistent application and rotation. They must be reapplied frequently, typically every two to four weeks, and always after heavy rainfall or periods of rapid new plant growth. Deer quickly become accustomed to a single scent or taste, so rotating between two or three different types prevents habituation and maintains the deterrent effect.
Motion-activated devices exploit the deer’s natural wariness by providing a startling experience. Motion-sensing water sprinklers are effective, detecting movement and releasing a sudden burst of water that conditions the animal to associate the area with an unpleasant surprise. These devices are humane and non-toxic, but they require a reliable water source and may be less effective in freezing temperatures. Other visual deterrents, such as reflective Mylar tape or bright lights, can also be used, but deer may become habituated unless they are moved frequently.
Strategic Planting: Using Deer-Resistant Varieties
Selecting plants that deer naturally avoid is a long-term, preventative strategy that reduces the overall appeal of your garden. Deer tend to avoid plants that possess specific physical or chemical characteristics, including strong aromas, fuzzy textures, and toxic compounds.
Plants with strong scents, such as many herbs, are often unpalatable. Examples include lavender, Russian sage, catmint, and ornamental onions (Allium), which release an offensive fragrance. Plants with a rough, fuzzy, or prickly texture, such as lamb’s ear, yarrow, or purple coneflower (Echinacea), are less desirable because they feel unpleasant in the mouth. Toxic plants, like daffodils, foxglove, and bleeding heart, are also generally avoided.
A strategic planting layout can maximize the protection offered by these varieties. Highly desirable plants, such as hostas or tulips, can be placed close to the house or within a protected area. Surrounding vulnerable plants with a border of deer-resistant varieties acts as a buffer. Remember that “deer-resistant” does not mean “deer-proof,” and a hungry deer may eat almost any plant during periods of scarcity.