How To Keep Deer Out Of Your Vegetable Garden

If you’re an avid gardener in northwest Michigan, you’re probably well aware of the challenges that deer can pose to your vegetable garden. Deer are notorious for eating just about anything in their path, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep deer out of your vegetable garden. In this article, we will guide you through some effective strategies for deterring deer from your garden.

(Featured Image: Deer At The Fence by Don DeBold)

This blog contains an affiliate link to our favorite deer repellent!

Before we get into the strategies for keeping deer out of your garden, it’s important to understand their behavior. Deer are creatures of habit, and they tend to follow the same paths when foraging for food. They are also creatures of routine, and they tend to eat at the same times each day. By understanding these patterns, you can develop strategies to deter deer from your garden.

The most effective way to keep deer out of your vegetable garden is by erecting physical barriers. Deer can jump high, so it’s important to make sure your barrier is at least 8 feet tall. Here are some options for physical barriers:

• Fences: A fence is the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden. A solid fence that’s at least 8 feet tall is recommended. The fence should also extend at least 6 inches underground to prevent deer from digging underneath.
• Netting: Netting can be used to cover individual plants or sections of your garden. Netting should be at least 6 feet tall and secured to the ground with stakes.

Repellents are another effective way to deter deer from your garden. There are several types of repellents available, including:

• Scent-based repellents: These are repellents that contain natural or synthetic scents that deer find unappealing. Examples include garlic, peppermint, and predator urine.
• Taste-based repellents: These are repellents that make the plants in your garden taste bad to deer. Our tried and true repellent is Bobbex deer repellent. Our experience with Bobbex has been very positive overall, and we have had a lot of success in deterring deer from our plants. There are a few drawbacks, Bobbex needs to be applied after every rain/watering, and it does have a strong smell to it. However, this product was worth it for us!
• Visual repellents: These are repellents that use visual cues to scare deer away. Examples include scarecrows, shiny objects, and motion-activated sprinklers.

It’s important to note that repellents may need to be reapplied frequently, especially after rain or heavy watering.

Another way to deter deer from your garden is by choosing plants that are less appealing to them. Here are some plants that are less likely to be eaten by deer:

• Herbs: Deer tend to avoid herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme.
• Vegetables: Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are less appealing to deer.
• Flowers: Deer tend to avoid flowers like daffodils, hyacinths, and peonies.

Companion planting is the practice of planting different types of plants together in a way that benefits both plants. In the case of deterring deer, companion planting can be used to make your garden less appealing to them. Here are some examples of companion planting:

• Plant onions, garlic, or chives around the perimeter of your garden. These plants have a strong scent that deer find unappealing.
• Plant marigolds or other strong-smelling flowers throughout your garden. These plants have a strong scent that can help deter deer.
• Plant herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme near your vegetables. These plants can help mask the scent of your vegetables, making them less appealing to deer.

Finally, scare tactics can be used to deter deer from your garden. These tactics are designed to startle deer and make them think twice about entering your garden. Here are some examples of scare tactics:

• Install motion-activated lights around
• Play the radio on an outdoor speaker
• Use motion-activated sprinklers

Deer are commonplace across the state of Michigan, especially in the Traverse City region. Testing different deterrents in your yard is the key to finding a permanent solution. Try these methods today to keep the deer out of your vegetable garden.

If you’re searching for companion plants and deer resistant native species, check out your local plant nursery. Bright Lane Gardens in Lake Ann, Michigan is a local plant nursery that carries a wide variety of vegetable starts and companion plants. With a focus on native plants, Bright Lane Gardens also has a good selection of deer resistant native plants to choose from.