Deer are beautiful creatures, but they can be extremely harmful to your flower and vegetable gardens. Protecting your garden can also become frustrating since deer are large and sneaky animals. Check out these tips for deterring deer to hopefully you will save your garden!
1. Install a Fence. Installing a fence can be an expensive and timely task, but it will pay off in the end. If you have a large garden in an inclusive area, it may pay off in the end. The problem is deer can jump. Constructing a relatively high fence (8 ft tall) or adding shock or barbed wire, is a good idea. If an electric fence is most practical, 3 strand are necessary to keep the deer out of your garden.
2. Apply Layers of Scent. Deer are very sensitive to smell and will most likely stay away if humans are present. Below are a few scents that will repel deer almost instantly when placed in your garden.
- Perfumed Soaps
- Dirty Diapers
- Baby Powder
- Human or Dog Hair
- Peppers
- Fabric Softener
3. Use Homemade Sprays. There are many home remedies out there but the one that follows is proven to be one of the most effective.
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Tbsp. Tabasco
2 Tbsp. Cayenne Pepper
2 Cups Water
Puree all the ingredients and allow it to sit for 2 days. Spray or poor within your garden or around specific target plants. Avoid putting directly onto foliage.
4. Plant Flowers They Avoid. There are some plants deer will definitely stay away from. Consider intermixing these with some of the plants which deer are attracted.
- Coreopsis
- Daffodil
- Dianthus
- Dusty Miller
- Foxglove
- Iris
- Purple Coneflower
- Vinca
- Yucca
- Zinnia
5. Distract Them. Sometimes if you plant flowers and plants deer love in an area away from your garden, they will go there instead. Sacrifice a few plants in order to protect your favorites. The flowers deer love are as followed:
- Azalea
- Black Eyed Susan
- Candytuft
- Crocus
- Hosta
- Hydrangea
- Lily
- Pansy
- Rose
- Tulip
6. Plant Strategically. It is best to plant flowers you love near your home. Deer do not like to get up close and personal with humans. Therefore, they will most likely stay away.
7. Utilize Textured Plants. Often times deer will avoid plants that are prickly, thorny, or hairy. Just be sure you plant these in a way that you can still reach your garden as needed. These plants aren’t always the most appealing either, so it is best to use this method only if all else fails.
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