Depending on where the garden is located, local deer populations can prove to be problematic for all kinds of gardeners. Luckily there are some natural ways to keep deer out of your garden and away from your beloved plants.
Create Barriers
Creating natural barriers with certain plants can be a great way to protect a garden from the hungry eye of herbivores. According to FromHouseToHome.com, some plants that are less likely to be eaten include:
- Plants with stronger scents or taste. Since deer rely heavily on their sense of smell to feed, plants with stronger scents can be used to mask the scent of other, more appetizing plants. Some great plants to use for this include garlic, chives, mint, and lavender.
- Plants that are thorny, prickly, or fuzzy. Although deer rely more on their sense of smell than touch, texture can still be an effective deterrent. Plants like lamb’s ear, barberries, or cleome can deter deer from making a meal out of the whole garden.
- Poisonous plants. No matter how hungry deer may get, poisonous plants like Jack in the Pulpit are not on the menu. However, gardeners should be careful when planting these plants in their garden—these plants are harmful to pets as well.
Alternatively, fencing in the garden can be a great way of keeping deer from getting in. Just make sure any non-electric fence is at least 8 feet tall, otherwise, deer can jump on in.
Mix It Up
From time to time, try rearranging any ornaments located in the garden. Deer are suspicious creatures—they will typically shy away from anything new. So, taking some time to rearrange any garden gnomes, birdbaths, containers or other ornamental items will help set deer on edge, keeping the garden plants protected.
In addition, gardeners can try hanging CDs, aluminum pie tins, or even metallic streamers. The reflecting light from the sun and the movement from the wind will help deter not only deer but also birds, according to RuralSprout.com.
Unchecked, deer will ravage through a garden, leaving plants ragged and unable to grow. Taking some precautions is a great way to start protecting your garden from the common threats— from local deer populations to pests and diseases.
