Deer are a huge problem for gardeners in many parts of the country. They can be unrelenting in the damage they cause to trees, shrubs and flowers. It is so important to deer-proof the garden to minimize the damage these beautiful creatures cause. But how do gardeners combat this growing problem?
Looking for ways to keep deer from eating your plants? Here are 7 ways to deer proof your garden.
As an avid gardener, I’m often asked how to maintain curb appeal and keep deer from eating plants and flowers in my gardens. While no method is foolproof, there are a few precautions to take to minimize the damage.
I implement a few strategies that work well for me and have given the same advice to family, friends and clients who have had similar success.
Because I live in deer country New Jersey, I design gardens with deer-resistant plantings and spray high risk plants.
Planting smart and diligently following a spray schedule keeps damage to a minimum in my gardens.
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Deer have no interest in alliums, which are members of the onion family. Alliums are striking in a garden border when planted in mass. Bulbs are planted in fall and bloom for a few weeks in spring.
Keep Deer From Eating Plants by Planting Smart
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension graded plants by deer-resistance. I refer to this list all the time when I am designing and planting a garden. There are many beautiful plant options that deer will avoid or rarely damage. If deer are a problem in your neighborhood, start with this rating on the list.
Quick Tips: Deer dislike sharp, prickly, rough, heavily scented plantings. They love glossy, soft green leaves and flowers (tulips, hostas, pansies, or mums anyone?). While this is not an exhaustive list of deer-resistant plantings in my beds, I have had luck with daffodils, crocus, catmint, salvia, russian sage, bee balm, herbs, poppies, anything from the onion family, ornamental grasses, and prickly evergreens.
It is also worth noting that deer tend to follow the same path when they forage for food. Once they learn they are not fans of plants in your garden, they will seek a different path.
This does not mean they won’t ever return, but rather, may temporarily find better options in another location. Therefore, it is best to keep your plantings as unpalatable as possible.
Creeping Phlox is another great deer-resistant plant that blooms in early spring.
Catmint is a great deer-resistant planting that smells incredible and has a long bloom time. It also attracts lots of hummingbirds.
Deer Proof Garden Using Combination Plantings
While I typically lean towards deer-resistant plantings, I do plant things that require more protection.
When planting higher risk plants, I group them together with plants that are less risky. For example, I’ll use less risky plants in the front of the border and plant higher risk plants towards the back.
Planting high and low risk plants together helps protect plants that are more susceptible to deer damage.
Salvia and Forget-Me-Nots are among some of the deer-resistant plantings in my mixed border.
Apply Deer Repellent to Keep Deer From Eating Plants
In addition to following the deer-resistant list, I spray high risk plants with deer repellent. There are several products on the market, but I’ve been using this product for several years. It smells minty and the nozzle does not clog. Plus it works really well.
While the bottle has application directions, I am more aggressive with the spray schedule for higher risk plants. I start spraying high risk plants when they emerge from the ground, then again about one-two weeks later, depending on the growth. And then spray every three-four weeks after.
This method has worked for me for many years. And if you try it, I hope it works for you too.
While I mix Tulips in among higher-rated resistant plantings, I spray them a few times during their growth to insure they are left alone.
What do other experts say?
Many experts recommend switching spray products so deer do not work through a particular repellent. This method did not work for me because other deer repellent products clogged and prevented me from using the product without a struggle.
That said, try the ‘switch it up method’ if one repellent does not work for you.
Deer browse on the sedum (front row) on occasion. I spray them a few times from early spring through fall which seems to protect them. They tend to leave ornamental grasses and hops alone so they have not bothered my roses, variegated dogwood or joe pye weed that is directly next to it. Since it’s not economical for me to spray every plant in my gardens, I don’t spray most of this garden. I only spray a few plants in the front row and that strategy seems to work for me. If I notice other plants getting damaged, I will spray them too. Note: do what’s right and works for you – every garden and gardener is different. You’ll learn through trial and error.
Install Deer Fencing to Keep Deer From Eating Plants
If you really want to keep deer from eating plants and flowers in your garden, the best way is to install fencing. They are known to jump 6′ fences, so an 8′ fence or higher would be ideal (check your local zoning laws before installing).
If you want a lower fence, you could also install a double fence about a foot apart. Deer lack depth perception and generally will not jump a fence if they see another fence behind it because they can’t judge the distance between the two. I have not tried this method, but learned about it when I was studying to become a master gardener and it stayed with me.
Deer resistant plantings in bloom: catmint, midnight salvia, poppies and alliums. You can have a beautiful flowering garden if you plant smart in areas where deer are a problem.
Use Scare Tactics to Keep Deer From Eating Plants
There are devices you can use to scare deer out of your yard. Motion activated sprinklers, lights and radios have been known to help.
The problem with using them is that they may only be a temporary solution to the problem. Deer can quickly figure out how to work around them.
I’ve tried using some of these before but don’t use them anymore. It is worth mentioning though in case you want to try it.
Here’s a mixed border of plantings that bloom late spring through the summer: echinacea, black-eyed susan, tall phlox, and balloon flower. I spray most of these in the early stages of growth and have had luck with deer leaving them alone. They are also mixed in with less risky plants like globe thistle, bee balm, salvia, lavender, russian sage and catmint.
Dogs
Dogs are great deterrents for scaring off deer when they are outside. The problem with solely relying on dogs alone is that deer tend to do most of their damage during late hours when your dog may not be outside.
My dogs may not be the scariest of dogs, but they do keep the deer at bay in my yard when they are outside.
Walk Around Your Gardens Every Day
One of the best ways to keep deer from eating plants is to walk around your gardens every day or as often possible to check on your plants. You can prevent major damage to plantings if you notice deer are starting to browse.
When I see some damage, I grab the deer repellent spray and heavily douse high risk plants. A little extra vigilance can go a long way.
Prepare for Spring Early
If deer are a problem in your area, I would familiarize yourself with the deer-resistant list during the winter so you know what you want before heading to your local nursery in spring.
I also highly recommend purchasing deer repellent well before the growing season so you are ready to go when the plants emerge from the ground. When we procrastinate, we forget until it’s too late, so I would get what you need early and store it until spring.
My mailbox garden is mixed with both perennials and annuals that are risky plants. I spray this garden a few times during the season and the deer tend to leave them alone.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post inspires you to implement some strategies for maintaining a beautiful deer-resistant, happy, and healthy garden. No method is foolproof but there are things that we can do to protect our gardens.
Every garden and gardener is different, so while one method might work for me, another method might work better for you in your landscape. We learn how to garden through trial and error so play around with these tips and let me know how it works for you!
Want More Garden Inspiration?
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- Everblooming Flower Garden Tour
- Designing a Garden That’s Always in Bloom
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