15 Jul Deer “proofing” your garden

Deer love to roam and snack as they go. Cruising along from forest to rural gardens to the urban landscapes, you’ll find deer investigating what’s next on their buffet of options.

Being creative gardeners, we have tried all manner of deterrents, from using human hair, dogs to human urine; all have been met with moderate success. In the end, the 7-foot deer fence tends to reign over all ideas.

The approach to working with deer also varies from culture to culture. For example, at Findhorn in Scotland, garden devas are communed to ask the deer to stay away and remain in their own “corner” of the edibles.

My approach has always been to grow plants the deer are most likely to leave alone. The truth is we are part of the ecosystem, whether we like it or not; when we live in deer country, we’re going to feed the deer now and forever. It’s okay, and it’s important to expect this when planning your garden.

The big question is, are there plants deer will leave alone? 

The answer: maybe.

Plants are labeled deer resistant for a reason. It’s never out of the question to have a rogue deer eat something, say, from the mint family that has long been known to be a plant they avoid.

Deer may nibble, check it out, uproot it, or chew it down to the crown. Worry not, as the majority of plants come back flourishing. 

If you have time and patience, you may want to try the above methods and discover if they will deter your local deer. We have used the all natural spray deterrent Bobbex, which smells horrible but works pretty well.

My preference and suggestion are to forego the fence, buy resistant plants, spray them while new and vulnerable, and come to terms with feeding the deer now and then; they’ve been here much longer than we have, and we share habitat. As with everything, it’s a matter of striking a balance, living with nature.

Before you go, there are three plants I thought you may want to try in your deer resistant garden.  Good luck! 

To the glory of the garden! Eva
Eva Montane, certified Landscape Designer & President of Columbine Landscapes Co.