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As beautiful as deer are, they can become a nuisance to gardeners and homeowners alike. They love to munch on shrubs, flowers, and other plants in gardens and landscapes. This can lead to considerable damage to your lawn and garden. It’s essential to take some measures to keep deer away from your landscaping. In this article, we’re going to discuss several effective ways to prevent deer from entering your garden and landscape.
The most effective way to keep deer out of your garden and landscaping is by putting up a fence. A fence helps create a physical barrier between your garden and the surrounding environment, which makes it harder for deer to enter. You can use different types of fences, including metal, wood, or plastic. Make sure that the fence is at least eight feet tall if you want to keep deer away. Fences with netting, electric wires, or motion-activated sprinklers can be particularly effective.
Another effective way to keep deer away from your landscaping is by using deer repellent sprays. These sprays contain natural ingredients such as mint, garlic, and vinegar, which help deter deer from munching on your plants. The scent of the sprays is unpleasant to deer, and they will quickly learn to avoid the area. You can buy deer repellent sprays from your local garden store or online.
Deers are selective about the plants they eat, so planting deer-resistant plants is a smart idea. These plants are typically those with thick leaves, prickly thorns, strong smells, and unpalatable tastes. Some deer-resistant plants that you can consider for your landscaping include:
It’s worth noting that planting deer-resistant plants may not keep deer away entirely, but it can reduce the amount of damage they do to your garden.
Loud noises and sound in general can be an effective method for keeping deer at bay. These include things like chimes, radio noise, or even empty cans hanging from trees. They work by scaring the deer away when they approach your landscaping.
Deer are attracted to gardens with food sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. To reduce the risk of deer damage to your landscape, it’s important to keep your garden clean. This means removing any fallen fruits and vegetables from the ground and regularly pruning shrubs and plants. You should also keep your garden free from debris and provide deer with no food sources
If you have young trees or shrubs in your landscaping, then deer netting is a great way to protect them from damage. Deer netting is made of durable mesh material that can be placed over the tops of trees or wrapped around shrubs. It’s an effective barrier that prevents deer from accessing your plants while still allowing sunlight and water to pass through.
Another way to prevent deer damage is to alternate the plants in your landscaping. While deer may enjoy some plants, they may dislike others. You can try planting some of these “deer candy” plants around the perimeter of your garden to prevent deer from entering. Within the garden, plant a variety of plants, some of which are resistant to deer browsing.
There are many different homemade remedies that you can use to keep deer away from your landscaping. These include things like garlic sprays, hot pepper sprays, and human hair around the edges of your garden. These remedies help to deter deer by making your garden smell unpleasant to them. They can be easily made using household ingredients and are environmentally friendly.
One example of a homemade spray that can deter deer is a garlic-based spray. This can be made easily at home with just a few ingredients:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Deer can be scared off by even the slightest movement. Adding items to your yard that can be moved by wind can help deter deer. Hanging CDs from trees will often catch the light of the sun and can easily scare off an unsuspecting deer. Scarecrows that shimmy in a breeze can also be enough movement to frighten off deer.
Plant low-growing, fragrant plants as a barrier to deer crossing into your planted area. When stepped on, certain types of plants will release a strong scent that can be unpleasant to deer. Some examples include creeping thyme, lavender, and mint.
It is important to note that there is no such thing as deer-proofing your garden or landscaping. Even the tallest fence can be conquered by a deer if it is hungry enough. It is important to instead focus on using a combination of the methods listed above to create an environment that most deer will deem unpleasant. Alternating these methods from season to season can help deter even the most determined deer.
Deer are beautiful creatures that can cause significant damage to your garden and landscaping if left unchecked. By using some of the methods outlined in this article, you can keep deer away from your landscaping and protect your investment. Remember, prevention is key, and it’s easier to prevent damage than repair damage. Start using these techniques today, and you will have a healthy and beautiful garden in no time!
Anna Ohler is an avid plant hobbyist and owner/operator of Bright Lane Gardens, a boutique plant nursery in Northern Michigan. With over a decade of experience in gardening and landscaping, she takes every opportunity to share her knowledge on all things plant related. With a keen focus on integrating home landscaping into our natural ecosystems, Anna has dedicated several years to growing her knowledge of native plants and organic growing methods.
