Keeping Deer Out of Your Garden

Tips For A Deer Free Garden

Mitch Baker, Horticulturalist for the American Plant Garden Center, has some really great tips for keeping deer out of your garden. Be sure to check out the related videos for more tips on keeping deer out of your yard and other pest control ideas.

Keeping Deer Out Of The Garden

Fencing:

The fence provides perhaps the best physical means of protection against deer damage. To keep deer out, the fence must be at least 8 feet tall. Deer can usually easily jump any fence less than 8 feet if they need to. Deer have been known to tunnel under loosely constructed fences, so make sure that the bottom of the fence is slightly sunk into the ground. Electric fences also provide an effective alternative. They are not as costly as other physical, barrier fences, but they do require periodic maintenance and may need to be replaced more frequently.

Some people have used wire mesh, laid down on the ground in the garden. It seems in some cases that the deer don't like walking on it, and don't like possibly getting their legs tangled in it.

Repellents:

Repellents that are based on odors that deer don't like are the most common. Deer find them either unpleasant or disturbing because they resemble the scent of a predator or danger. Odorous repellents are available commercially in garden centers, hardware and farm stores, and through mail order catalogs. (When buying and using commercial repellents, make sure they are labeled for use on the plants you are trying to protect and be especially cautious around vegetables, fruits, and berries.

Repellents can be costly and time consuming to apply and often must be re-applied after rain. Certain repellents depend on specific temperature ranges to be effective and the choice of repellent may change seasonally. The effectiveness of repellents will depend primarily on the current availability of natural food sources, a deer's appetite, stage of development, the weather, and frequency of application. Milorganite, is a deer repellent, as well as an organic lawn and garden fertilizer. Dried blood meal is an agricultural by-product that offers some degree of protection from deer damage. Dried blood meal is also a good organic fertilizer (nitrogen) for plants.

Bars of deodorant soap hung around susceptible plants is usually effective within a range of three to four feet. The bars work best when wet, it is best to leave the wrapper on, to make last as long as possible. Lifebuoy consistently produces the best results. Bars need to be hung 3-4 feet apart around in the garden area. Replace as needed. Human hair, put in small pouches around the garden (like the deodorant soap), 3-4 feet apart may also work. Replace the hair midway through the growing season to prolong their effectiveness.

Homemade Deer Repellent:

• 6 spoiled eggs
• 3 Tbsp. of Thiram 75% (a mild fungicide)
• 1 quart of water

Mix thoroughly, using an old blender if possible. (Do not use the blender canister for anything intended for human or animal consumption). Then add1-3 gallons of water and mix thoroughly. Spray on plants. Repeat as needed, especially after rain. Don't use moth balls; they may seem to do a good job because of the smell, but they are toxic to humans and animals (as well as pets) alike.

Other Deterrents

• Electronic sound devices.

• Dog(s).

• Thorny bushes or trees planted around or in the garden.

• A plank hung from a tree; when the wind blows and it bangs against the tree, it scares the deer away.

• Wind chimes in the garden: the noise scares the deer away. (obviously not itty-bitty wind chimes, bring out the big ones.)

• Leave a radio playing in the garden.

• Sheets of aluminum foil or mirrors placed around the garden area will frighten deer away.

• A scarecrow.

Anything that you use, except for the 8 foot tall fence, and possibly the electric fence will have to be rotated or strategies changed periodically; the deer will get used to the noise, the smell will wear off, they will find out that the scarecrow won't hurt them, and here the deer will come to your garden again.

Source: My experiences, research, and books: Outwitting Critters, and Gardening In Deer Country.

By one.of.a.kind from Al

Protecting Plants from Deer and Rabbits

It's that time of year again when rabbits and deer are looking for some succulent plants to chew on. We have plenty of them in our neighborhood and their favorite foods are tulips, lilies, and hostas. I discovered the best repellent that actually works! Oh, yes, I tried the hair, soap, garlic, cayenne pepper, talcum powder tricks, but to no avail. So, here's what to do: Whirl an egg in the blender with a cup of water, pour into a pistol-grip spray bottle, fill the rest of the bottle near the top, adding 1 tsp. dish soap (helps adhere to the plant) and set outside in the hot sun for 3 days, until it becomes putrefied. Give the deer-loving plants a little squirt. You need to reapply only after a rain. I make up 2 bottles at a time so I always have one in reserve. It keeps fine over the winter if you don't use it all up. It's the only thing you'll ever need to keep those pests away.

By anne

Mylar Ribbons As Deer Deterrent

A couple of years ago, I had been away from home for a few days to find my garden had been nibbled on. I found out that it was indeed deer that had helped themselves . So, I looked high and low for a solution that would not hurt them and maintain my goal to retain my organic gardening. Well, I found an article that said using Mylar ribbons (the pretty shiny ones will keep them away, placed in numerous areas of the garden. Well I had a half dozen rolls of this, so why not try it.

I tied 2 foot long pieces on sticks, on supporting stakes and on the plants themselves. Guess what, I never had another problem, ever! I have reused them ever since.

Source: Somewhere on the internet.

By Katryn from Chester, VT

Keeping Deer Out of a Container Garden

Tips for keeping deer out of gardens without fences. Post your own ideas here.

Human Hair

I've heard that if you put human hair around your plants that the deer will stay away. I guess they think that a person is there because they smell the human scent on the hair. My friend does this and it keeps out the deer.

By luv2craft

Egg Water Solution

Mix a solution of 1 egg to 4 litres of water. Spray on the plants. Needs to be reapplied after each rain. Deer do not like the smell of the proteins in the eggs. A simple and cheap way of controlling the deer. (We did this for years until last year when we put up a 8' fence).

By valleyrimgirl

Marigolds Or Electric Fencing

I recently read if you plant marigolds all around your garden, deer (along with other critters) can't stand the smell. My sister and family, keep the critters out of their garden with a couple strands of electric fencing around their garden. It's the best that's worked for them. Best of luck on your garden!

By badwater

Fishing Line

Put a few short posts, about 2 to 3 foot, at corners and string nylon fish line from post to post, they cannot see it and will not want to go through it. You may need to put 2 rows a couple of feet apart around the garden.

By Anna from Maine

Fishing Line Or Jalapenos

I've read to string a row of fishing line around the plants and then to string one lower down around the plants. The deer will learn not to go to your house because they can't see what is stopping them from their treats. I don't know if this works or not-just read it recently. If it doesn't work, try buying a big jar of jalapeno peppers and grind them up in the blender or food processor with the juice. Spread it all around the plants. It won't hurt any plants and it keeps the cats away from us. They don't like the smell and don't get close enough for it to harm them. Perhaps it will work with deer also.

Jeane in Texas

Dogs Or Irish Spring Soap

Dogs work real well to keep deer out of your yard, but if you don't have one, try shaving Irish Spring soap around your plants. My SIL used this and they stayed away, but you do have to replace the shavings occassionally.

Garden: Deer and Rabbit Deterrent

If you are troubled by deer or rabbits eating plants in your garden, try my foolproof remedy. After a lot of experimenting, I came up with this easy and inexpensive spray.

Whisk one egg with 1 cup water; pour into a 1 quart pistol grip spray bottle. Add 1 tsp dish soap. Fill rest with water. Set outside in the sun for about 3 days, until it's putrefied. One little squirt does the job. You do not have to over saturate.

I mix up 2 bottles at a time so I always have one in reserve. You must reapply after a rain. Say 'goodbye' to the garden invaders! A lot of friends have tried this and can attest to its effectiveness.

Source: my own recipe

By annelaundrie from Green Bay, WI