As majestic as deer are, they are a nuisance in the garden. Their voracious appetites from late fall to early spring will quickly damage and destroy a garden making it impossible to harvest. Although a deer-proof fence is the best insurance against deer damage, landscaping with deer-resistant plants is a more aesthetically pleasing alternative.
Why Deer Don’t Like Certain Plants
Deer eat a variety of vegetation including woody plants, grasses, fruits, ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and garden vegetables. What they normally avoid are root vegetables (which require digging) and prickly vegetables such as cucumbers and squashes with hairy leaves. Certain plants, such as rhubarb, are toxic to deer. Sharply-odored cultivars like onions, garlic and fennel are not palatable to deer also. Similarly, strongly-scented marigolds and herbs can direct deer away from favored munching plants. Deer do not like plants that are prickly such as watermelon, squash, and cucumbers.
Vegetables to Plant
Most deer will bypass the following vegetables and herbs:
Vegetables
Asparagus
Carrots
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Globe Artichokes
Leeks
Peppers
Rhubarb
Tomatoes
Onions
Herbs
Basil
Chives
Dill
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Mint
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Some other moderately safe plants for deer-resistant gardens are:
Vegetables
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chard (safest in summer when the deer have other food choices)
Corn
Kale
Melons
Potatoes (reports of deer eating “toxic” potato leaves are becoming common)
Rutabagas
Summer Squash
Winter Squash
Herbs
Basil
Cilantro
For a complete list of vegetables and herbs that are deer-resistant, click here.
Bear in mind that when food sources are low, deer will “browse” on anything. Further, a large deer population can create competition for food, causing deer to eat many plants they normally wouldn’t. As an added measure, spraying your garden with a deer repellent will also help to keep them from browsing your garden.
Keep these vegetable and herb suggestions in mind when you are planting a garden that may be exposed to deer. This way, you can feel more secure knowing that your vegetables and herbs are not the main course for a browsing deer.
Deer attracted to a garden can also be meat for the freezer. Particularly when snaring them, so you don’t have to hunt 24/7. But this only works in a situation where the government is too busy to be concerned. In today’s political climate, trapping deer is (as I understand) illegal in all of the states, and you might be blamed for baiting if you hunt them. Just something to keep in mind for a “without rule of law” situation.
Tess, I’ll trade your deer for mine, mine love green pepper plants, swiss chard and beets!
That’s why I am putting up an 8′ tall fence. So I can grow what I want.