Hey folks! I'm diving into gardening this year and I want to involve my kids in the process of planting and growing. However, I'm really worried about the deer that have been roaming through our yard. They've been a constant presence in our neighborhood lately. I've heard that some plants can deter deer—would it help if I planted those alongside the ones I really want? Or should I just invest in some proper fencing or other deer deterrents? I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice!
3 Answers
Even deer-resistant plants won’t fully prevent snacking! They munch on almost everything when they're hungry. Strong-tasting herbs might deter them a bit, but if food is scarce, they won’t hesitate to nibble on those too. The solution? Aim for an 8-foot fence. You don't need to spend big bucks—something like cattle panels can work fine!
As a Master Gardener, I can tell you that a tall fence is your best bet. Deer will eat just about anything, including flowers and veggies. You might be tempted by sprays or gadgets, but trust me—they just acclimate quickly to those. They often need to be reapplied after rain too, which makes them a hassle. Go with a fence if you're serious about keeping them out!
Seems to go for animals in general. Those "rabbit-resistant" plants I tried... total failure. They're little sneaks!
For a budget-friendly solution, my dad set up a short fence with tall stakes and electric wires. You'd be surprised how well that works!
"Deer-proofing" is a myth. They'll try anything new—even eating your favorites just to mess with you. I've got an 8-foot fence around most of my yard, with a separate 6-foot fence around the garden. In addition, using netting over your plants or setting up motion-sensor sprinklers can be effective deterrents. It doesn't have to be all or nothing!
I feel you on that! I want my garden open for pollinators too, so I’ll think about the netting.
Ugh, I was really hoping that wasn’t the answer! Looks like my gardening adventure comes with a side of fence-building.