Plant damage from deer browsing is one of the most difficult problems facing gardeners in the Hudson Valley. Our large population of deer is due to more people moving into rural areas, decreased hunting, and abandoned farmland maturing into ideal deer habitat. To make matters worse, deer are very adaptive; that is, they can and will change their habits as their environment changes. This is a great survival characteristic, but it makes it particularly difficult to influence their eating habits.

Deer are actually selective feeders and use considerable discrimination when they browse on plants. We need to take this factor into account when planning gardens. Try to choose plants deer are least apt to eat in areas they most frequently visit, and plant your favorites (and theirs) in protected areas.

Whether or not a particular plant species will be eaten depends on seasonal factors, food availability, weather conditions, nutritional requirements, and plant palatability. When snow covers an already short feed supply, deer become bold and less selective, resulting in extensive damage to previously un-grazed species. While there is no such thing as deer-proof plants, try not to lose hope. And be sure to try some of the following suggestions.

There are several strategies you can use to make your garden less vulnerable to deer damage. The three basic strategies are: 1. Physical barriers, i.e. fences and netting, 2. Using sprays and repellents, and 3. Choosing plants that have been proven to be least appealing to deer in your area.

Physical Barriers

Traditional deer fencing is the most effective way to keep deer out, but it can be expensive to install, and unsightly in appearance. Another barrier method consists of hanging three rows of very strong monofilament (your basic fishing line) pulled tight around your garden perimeter at about one and a half, three, and five feet high. When deer walk into this stuff, they can’t see or understand it, so from then on, they’ll route around it. This type of fence is high-maintenance. If there’s a break in it, the deer will find it. If this fence becomes damaged, please don’t leave it there—collect all the line and dispose of it properly, as it can be a danger to all kinds of wildlife. Also, don’t put this type of barrier in the path of high-speed children.

Sprays & Repellents

There are many effective repellents commercially available. Our customers seem to get good results from Liquid Fence. Be sure to read the label for dilution and frequency of application information. To find the best value among them, check the ratio of mix to water, because while one brand may seem more expensive, it may in reality go a lot further than cheaper brands. Some of these products may need to be reapplied after a rain.

There are also many home recipes worth trying as well. Some are as simple as mixing an egg with soap and water. I found the following deer repellent recipe in FINE GARDENING magazine: In a kitchen blender, drop two eggs (shells and all), one or two cloves garlic (or garlic powder), one tablespoon chili powder or red pepper, and two cups water. Blend until everything is liquefied. Pour this mixture into a gallon plastic bucket that has a cake of yellow laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha) in it, fill with lukewarm water, and stir.

Carry this out to the garden and splash it over plants by dipping a rubber-gloved hand in and shaking it over them, or by touching things deer love, such as day lily buds. Reapply every week or two depending on rainfall and deer pressure. Once it dries, it has no smell to humans, but obviously it’s repulsive to deer and certain other animals and insects; perhaps due to the sulfurous combinations of egg and onion.

Deer-Resistant Plants

As a general rule, deer don’t like plants with gray-green or fuzzy leaves like lavender and lamb’s ear, or members of the mint family, such as Monarda and Dead Nettle. Keep in mind, however, that eating habits differ from herd to herd, and just about any growing thing can be fodder if deer are hungry enough.

Remember, keeping deer out of your garden is an ongoing task that takes trial, error, and perseverance. You must change your tactics as the seasons and deer habits change. Every garden situation is different, so there is no one best solution.

Good luck,
Bruce Davenport