Gardening with Deer: FAQ and some solutions

What if I can't have an 8 foot high fence? What are the alternatives to tall fencing?:

Angled or slanted fencing: Fencing that slopes forward and creates an illusion as to the depth deer have to jump and they avoid it. This is a good system if you have an open expanse where you do not want a tall fence or if you are are in an area that zones against fencing over certain heights.

Garland or raised post fencing with cables:

Regular picket or low paneled fencing can be installed with high posts. Between the posts a garland of chain or cables can be strung to create a visual barrier. This chain or cable gives an impression of height which confuses deer and they do not attempt to jump in.

Trunk Guards:

Even if you cage or fence trees you should add a trunk guard to protect a new tree from girdling by rabbits, voles or other small animals. Trees with tall branching above the browse line might not need to be caged for deer, but bucks seem to target newly planted trees to mark their territory and an unprotected trunk could end up with extensive bark damage from bucks marking them with their antlers.

Enclosing smaller areas with or without decorative elements:

Enclosing smaller garden areas is the second best choice after perimeter fencing. Deer do not jump into tight spaces, so if you have an area where you can fence off the front and sides of a garden, they are unlikely to try and enter it. The most basic of these enclosures are made with galvanized/welded wire, sometimes called turkey wire. This wire is sold in large rolls at most hardware stores. You can cage individual specimens or small groups of plants with the additional support of wood or metal stakes hammered into the ground. If you enclose a garden make sure to leave a space that works like a gate so you can get in and out.

This post is in the process of being updated.

There was a time when we had abundant wild areas that supported native plants and thus native wildlife. Now due to a combination of real estate development, the spread of invasive species, logging, industrial agriculture and deer pressure we have lost many of our once stable ecosystems. The good news is we can restore some of this habitat and increase biodiversity by choosing organic, ecologically sound land management practices while increasing populations of native plants in our gardens. The one difficult to control factor that can be an obstacle to this is the abundance of white tailed deer.

Why are deer a problem?

Humans removing larger predators from the natural system of checks and balances have allowed for deer to over populate. We have provided food for them both willingly and unwillingly which in turn increases their ability to produce fawns. With a lack of predators, and more food in the form of gardens and farm fields, the result is more deer- and with that comes over browsing, especially of woodland understory and meadows. It’s more difficult for forests to regenerate and for meadows to remain biodiverse when the young plants are consistently being foraged by deer. Deer impact the balance of nature with their omnivore habits. Not only do they eat the eggs of ground nesting birds, and sometimes even the fledglings, but they also over consume the many plants that insects and other wildlife need for food and reproduction. Deer pick out their preferences thus leaving invasive, unpalatable plants to dominate the landscape. Where deer populations are dense, populations of birds, amphibians and insects go down and are second only to human impact. However, humans have the power of choice to put some of the balance back by choosing to garden in an ecological manner and preventing deer from eating all the plants.

What should I do about deer eating my garden plant

We recommend protecting plants from deer to protect your investment in your landscape and to support biodiversity.

Why can’t I just use deer resistant plants?

People have been planting deer resistant plants for so long that deer have adapted and will now browse the majority of formerly labelled "deer resistant plants", at least to some degree. While deer do have preferences, we have found that very little goes untouched when they are hungry and the few plants they avoid tend to have very limited wildlife value.

Can I create a garden with the plants deer like least that will still have some wildlife benefits?

Only to a small degree. When people “garden for deer”, they end up with a monocultures of ornamental grasses, invasive species, and the handful of fuzzy or pungent plants deer tend not to destroy. This limited focus significantly decreases the wide variety of plants that pollinators and other wildlife need to thrive. One example of this is the omitting of native host plants that butterflies and moths require to procreate on. When people reject these plants because of deer browse they contribute to the decline in our insect populations. Gardening for deer also limits the fun of gardening by forcing choices upon the gardener instead of having the full array of plant options.

Do I need to protect all my new plants?

In general, when plants are taken home from a nursery they are particularly at risk because they have been watered and fertilized on a regular basis. This type of care makes them more lush and thus more attractive to deer. Nursery grown plants are propagated in pots and that doesn’t give them a chance to develop a natural defensive chemistry that plants in the wild seem to obtain over time. Deer are notorious for eating young plants for this very reason and nursery grown.plants have a similar attraction. This naturally developing chemistry helps repel browsing animals, so older plants are less likely to get browsed while new ones get devoured. When new plantings are repeatedly browsed it hinders new growth and can even kill the plant when enough damage is inflicted.

Do deer sprays work?

They are a good first line of defense, and when be properly applied as directed they can train deer to avoid a property as the animals assume there is nothing in that area that they like. However, since deer can get used to any one particular spray and learn to ignore the scent, it is best to switch off brands to keep the effectiveness going. The biggest downside to sprays is that they do not work in the winter.

What doesn’t work or is not worth the effort?

Human or pet hair, deodorant soap, predator urine sprays, human urine, motion detectors that spray water, metallic/flash tapes/cds and used cat litter show little to no sign of deterring deer. Stringing up fishing line or rope around plants or trees can cause animals to get tangled and there have even been cases of people running into such systems and getting hurt.

Do deer sprays work?

They are a good first line of defense, and when be properly applied as directed they can train deer to avoid a property as the animals assume there is nothing in that area that they like. However, since deer can get used to any one particular spray and learn to ignore the scent, it is best to switch off brands to keep the effectiveness going. The biggest downside to sprays is that they do not work in the winter.

What doesn’t work or is not worth the effort?

Human or pet hair, deodorant soap, predator urine sprays, human urine, motion detectors that spray water, metallic/flash tapes/cds and used cat litter show little to no sign of deterring deer. Stringing up fishing line or rope around plants or trees can cause animals to get tangled and there have even been cases of people running into such systems and getting hurt.

What are the options that do work?:

Perimeter Fixed Lock/Welded Fencing is the best solution and a dark colored wire is virtually invisible in the landscape. Properly installed it’s a fence that will last decades. Solidlock is a good brand and easily found on online or through a fencing company. Once done, you can garden for yourself and wildlife instead of for deer. Another benefit of keeping deer from crossing your property is because deer are also known as “tick taxis”. Ticks feed on deer and then drop off as they forage. These engorged ticks then reproduce near homes. When deer cannot access your land, the ticks are kept further from your living spaces.

Get creative: The same concept as above can be tweaked to a more artistic level. By using some cut or downed branches you can create a rustic. You can either attach the branches to the wire or if the space is tight enough, you can just use posts and branches. These branches are attached to the posts with green florist wire and normally last about three year before they have to be redone.

It really comes down to what works for you. In these examples, trellis panels were used to block off a space. In one it just created a backdrop with decorative posts and wire around the front of a bed to create a tight enclosure. The other is a series of panels used to create a courtyard around a planted patio with an attractive entrance. Even these small gardens can offer a lot of biodiversity if protected from deer.