How to Keep Deer Away from Your Garden: Tips and Tricks

Have you ever woken up one morning to find that the beautiful garden you've been carefully cultivating has been ravaged by deer? If so, you're not alone. Deer are notorious for eating plants, shrubs, and flowers, which can be frustrating for avid gardeners. However, there are ways to keep deer away from your garden without harming them. In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks for deterring deer from your garden.

Understanding Deer Behavior

Before we dive into specific methods for keeping deer away, it's important to understand why they're attracted to gardens in the first place. Deer are herbivores, meaning they primarily eat plant material. They're especially fond of tender shoots, leaves, and flowers, which can be found in abundance in well-tended gardens. Additionally, deer are creatures of habit and tend to return to places where they've found food in the past. This means that once a deer discovers your garden, it may continue to return unless you take action.

What Attracts Deer to Gardens?

While all types of greenery may be enticing to deer, there are certain plants that are particularly attractive to them. These include:

• Roses
• Lilies
• Hostas
• Daylilies
• Azaleas

If you have these plants in your garden, you may need to take extra precautions to deter deer.

Methods for Deterring Deer

Now that we've covered why deer are attracted to gardens, let's explore some ways to keep them away.

Physical Barriers

One of the most effective ways to keep deer out of your garden is to put up physical barriers. This can include fencing, netting, or even chicken wire. However, it's important to note that deer can jump up to 8 feet high, so your fence will need to be at least that tall. Additionally, deer can easily slip through gaps in fencing or squeeze under nets, so make sure your barrier is tightly secured.

Repellents

Another option for deterring deer is to use repellents. There are many different types of deer repellents on the market, including sprays, granules, and electronic devices. Some common ingredients in deer repellents include garlic, pepper, and predator urine. While these products can be effective, they may also have an unpleasant odor and can be expensive.

Plant Selection

As we mentioned earlier, there are certain plants that are more attractive to deer than others. If you're designing a new garden, consider choosing plants that are less appealing to deer. Some good options include:

• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Snapdragons
• Daffodils
• Lavender

Noise Devices

Deer are skittish creatures and can be scared off by sudden noises. You can take advantage of this by using noise devices like wind chimes or motion-activated sprinklers to le deer when they enter your garden.

Scare Tactics

Finally, you can try scare tactics to keep deer away from your garden. This can include hanging shiny objects like CDs or aluminum foil, or using scarecrows or other visual deterrents. However, it's important to note that these methods may not be effective against all deer.


Keeping deer away from your garden can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, it's possible. Whether you choose to put up physical barriers, use repellents, or try scare tactics, there are many ways to deter deer from eating your plants. By understanding their behavior and using some of the tips we've outlined in this article, you can keep your garden looking beautiful all season long.

FAQs

1. Are deer harmful to plants?

Yes, deer can cause significant damage to plants. They're especially fond of tender shoots, leaves, and flowers, which can be found in abundance in well-tended gardens.

2. How high should my fence be to keep deer out?

Deer can jump up to 8 feet high, so your fence will need to be at least that tall to be effective.

3. Do deer repellents have an unpleasant odor?

Some deer repellents do have an odor, which can be unpleasant for humans as well as deer. Be sure to read the label before applying any repellent to your garden.

4. Can scare tactics work against all deer?

No, scare tactics may not be effective against all deer. Some deer may become accustomed to visual deterrents over time and continue to eat your plants.

5. What are some plants that deer don't like?

Some plants that are less attractive to deer include marigolds, zinnias, snapdragons, daffodils, and lavender.