Depending on what’s available, hungry deer will eat almost anything (deer indifferent regionshave different palates).
One of the best ways to keep your garden safe is to fill it withdeer-resistant plantsthey’ll naturally avoid.
They feast on fruits of all kinds, from strawberries to fruit trees and fallen fruit.
Credit: Karla Conrad
Deer will eat most trees and shrubs' bark, twigs, and leaves.
They can also damage woody plants, especially during winter when food is scarce.
In the winter, scrapes on tree trunks and woody shrub branches are often from deer antlers.
Credit: J WILDE CREATIVE IMAGES
It’s typical for many of these methods to only work for a few days.
Enclose the entire garden, or they’ll go around the fence.
A fence should also be at least 8 feet high.
Credit: Rob Cardillo Photography
Or try two 4- or 5-foot-high fences placed 3 feet apart.
Set up two lower net fences a few feet apart.
They also avoid electric wires because of the humming sound they make.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Be sure to keep your deer repellentsprays as organicas possible.
Fall is also when bucks scrape their antlers against trees to remove the velvety layer grown over the summer.
The repetitive scraping can damage and even kill trees.
Credit: Adam Albright
see to it to use deterrents to protect trees of any size.
If you’ve had deer problems in the past years, they’ll probably return in the following spring.
Natural food choices are easier to find.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Deer-Resistant Plants by Region
Some plants are especially effective in different regions of the country.
Here are the best choices depending onyour location.
It’s a good idea to start designing yourgarden with known deer-resistant plants.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a chance that the strong smell of vinegar will deter deer.
Some gardeners believe this method is effective, but it is not recommended.
The chemicals in moth balls can harm wildlife and contaminate your soil and water.
double-check you stick to safer methods to avoid harming the environment.
Some people believe that dryer sheets will repel deer due to their strong scent.
However, there is no evidence to support that this is true.
You’re better off using other methods to keep these creatures from your garden.
