How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden

Know What You Are Dealing With

Before you decide how to dissuade wildlife from snacking on your herbs and flowers, it's critical that you know exactly what type—or types—of animals are visiting. "Twigs browsed by rabbits may be identified by their neat, clipped appearance, and plants browsed by deer appear ragged and torn," says John Griffin, senior director of urban wildlife for the Humane Society of the United States. "The nearly spherical, pea-size droppings scattered around the area or sometimes left in small piles are from rabbits, while deer scat, although similarly shaped, is substantially larger."

Remote cameras on your property can also catch nighttime visitors who use your yard as a buffet and help you plan your approach. "It seems basic, but identifying the mammals, birds, and insects sharing your backyard is crucial in informing your strategies to help reduce unwanted damage to landscape plantings and gardens," says Griffin, "as well as providing perspective regarding how important these habitats are to the many creatures we share our neighborhood with."

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Place Your Plants Strategically

Every region has native plants that stand to nibbling animals, says Griffin; check plant and garden stores, cooperative extension services, and native plant databases for ideas specific to your area. Then, carefully consider how and where to place your plants. "The keys to increasing your success are found in plant selection and placement—planting strategically and with abundance," says Griffin. "Fundamentally, anything out in the open, by itself, will always be vulnerable, so arranging a variety of plantings in higher densities will improve any impact from browsing wildlife. Plants allowed to grow and weave together naturally have more success in resisting browse pressure of deer, rabbits, and other animals."

Build a Barrier

If you need a more aggressive strategy, keep deer out of your garden with a physical barrier. "Where deer browsing and burrowing from other animals is a serious problem, especially in terms of protecting fruit and vegetables, the only completely effective way to protect your plants is with fencing," says Griffin. "Because deer that are really interested in entering the garden can jump fences up to eight feet high, woven wire fencing at this height stands out as the most effective deer barrier, often lasting more than 20 years." Smaller fences—like electric fence garden kits—netting, and tree tubes can also help. "The best type of fencing depends on how large an area you need to protect and for how long—and also from what animals—so check with your local garden store or local cooperative extension agents before buying anything," says Griffin. "The use of physical barriers such as netting of certain plants and tubing of young trees can reduce damage to specific plants in your landscape."

Address Their Senses

Griffin also recommends multi-sensory repellents, which make your plants less attractive to deer in several ways: by making them taste bad; incorporating hot pepper or peppermint that makes eyes and mucous membranes sting; giving off the smell of sulphur, which deer are believed to connect with predators; or causing gastrointestinal distress that reminds the animals not to munch on that particular plant again. On the following slides, you will find several varieties that don't taste, feel, or look appetizing to deer.

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Plant Aromatic Herbs

As much as we love lavender's lush, heady aroma, deer don't seem to share the sentiment.

Integrate Spiky Varities

Cleomes and asparagus ferns (pictured) are awkward to chew—a bonus effect of the visual interest they'll give your garden.

Try Fuzzy Plants

Deer don't love things that tickle their throats. Try verbena (shown here) or ageratum, which has petals that grow in wispy clusters—or ballota, which has velvety silver leaves that make a nice edging accent.

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Plant Zinnias in the Summer

Zinnias are avoided by deer for their heartburn-like aftereffects; opt for flame-colored blooms for a pop of color or a different shade altogether. Often, however, the best results come from combining all of the aforementioned solutions—and keeping in mind that blocking all wildlife from your garden isn't entirely beneficial in the long run. "Utilizing multiple approaches can provide an adaptable and tailored approach to any scale garden or landscape conflict," says Griffin. "Whether out in the countryside or in an urban space, a humane backyard can support local wildlife and successful gardening strategies simultaneously, improving quality of life for all."