Are the Deer going to eat this plant? It is the number one question we get at the Garden Center. Here's our suggestions!
Deer-Resistant Gardening
Okay, I admit the phrase Deer-Resistant Gardening might be an oxymoron. For the first time ever, my neighborhood deer decided to nibble on the Rhododendron by my front door that they’ve never touched before. Why this year? I have no idea. But, how to combat deer grazing when selecting plants and designing a landscape is, by far, the most common question we hear from customers at the Garden Center.
Selecting plants that deer don’t like to eat is the obvious first step to keeping your garden intact. I’ve looked at dozens of lists over the years and like this one by Linda Wiles at Penn State Cooperative Extension the best. She divides the deer-resistant plants into helpful categories for shade, sun, wet areas, woodland gardens, and such. Sticking to plant selections from the list is an important step, but really going on deer defense takes some additional planning.
Deer, like many animals that nibble in the garden, go for the easy to reach plants on the edges first. A specimen plant standing in the open by itself will always be an easy target. Plants incorporated into a border in a higher density are more resistant.
In my experience, the most effective deer diversion is the incorporation of plants that have a particularly strong scent or will cause discomfort if eaten. Peppermint, lavender, and hot pepper plants are my favorites. Weaving these plants into the front of a landscape bed, or the most obvious path deer will encounter first, acts as some protection for the plants beyond. There are a lot of products for sale labeled as deer repellants and most of them, whether granular or spray, work by scent or taste aversion. Any labeled product or home remedy with clove or garlic scent are good choices. We have several options at the Garden Center.
Finally, barriers like netting or fencing are an option but may be aesthetically undesirable or cost prohibitive. Fencing your vegetable garden is almost a necessity, though, if you know you have a high population of deer in the vicinity. Please stop by the Garden Center and let us know if you have a success story to share!
December 17, 2024
July 29, 2024