3 Ways to Keep Deer Out of Your Backyard Garden

Sure, gardening is a peaceful way to connect with nature, grow your food, and create a beautiful outdoor space. But it also requires keeping predators like birds, squirrels, and sometimes, deer off your greens.

Nobody wants to find their carefully tended plants nibbled to the ground. It’s frustrating, to say the least. So, how do you protect the garden you have cultivated with much love and labor?

This article will explore three effective ways to keep deer out of your backyard garden.

Keeping Deer Out of Your Backyard Garden: 3 Effective Ways

Use Deer-Resistant Plants

One of the easiest ways to deter deer from snacking on your garden is by planting things they don’t like to eat. While it’s tough to find plants that are completely deer-proof, many are deer-resistant—meaning they’re less likely to be devoured by a hungry deer.

Plants like lavender, mint, and sage have strong aromas that deer generally don’t like. They act like a natural olfactory fence around your more delectable plants.

To get the best results, layer these plants around your garden’s borders. You can also intermix them with other plants for double protection. For instance, if you have a row of lettuce, plant some chives or garlic in between. These plants not only add depth and diversity to your garden but also serve as guardians for your more vulnerable plants.

Install a Physical Barrier

When it comes to keeping deer out, sometimes you have to take things up a notch. A fence is the most straightforward physical barrier you can install.

Now, we’re not talking about any old fence; it has to be high enough so that deer can’t jump over it. A height of at least eight feet is usually recommended. For a more robust result, use a fence calculator to know how much material you will need to keep deer out effectively. Make sure it’s sturdy, too. You don’t want it collapsing under the weight of a curious deer trying to poke its nose through.

Consider installing an electric fence if a high fence doesn’t fit your garden aesthetics. A small zap is usually enough to teach deer to keep their distance. The shock isn’t harmful but is usually enough to make the deer think twice before returning. Electric fences are better suited for areas that are less accessible to children and pets.

Use Deer Repellents

If you’re looking for a less invasive way to keep deer at bay, repellents could be your answer. These can be store-bought or homemade and come in various forms—sprays, granules, or even motion-activated sprinklers that surprise deer with a sudden burst of water.

Store-bought repellents often have active ingredients like putrescent egg solids (which smell like decaying meat) or capsaicin (the compound that makes chili peppers hot). If you’re going the DIY route, homemade sprays made of garlic, eggs, and water can also be effective but usually require more frequent application.

While using repellents, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. You’ll likely have to reapply after a rainstorm or watering, as water can wash them away. Also, you may need to rotate different repellents to keep deer from getting used to one kind.

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to give up your dream of a lush, beautiful garden just because deer happen to live nearby. Layering your garden with plants that deer find unappealing, like lavender and sage, can serve as a natural deterrent.

If you opt to install a fence, choose the right height or voltage (for an electric fence) to make it tough for deer to enter your space.

For a less intrusive way, use store-bought solutions or DIY repellents to keep deer at a distance. These must be reapplied regularly, especially after rain. Happy gardening!