Has Deer Consumed Tomatoes and Tomato Plants Vanished: An Inquiry into Deer's Dietary Habits
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When it comes to gardening, deer can pose a significant challenge. These animals have a penchant for tender, palatable plants, often causing damage to vegetables, fruit trees, and many ornamentals [4]. Here are some strategies to deter deer and protect your garden.
Deer Repellents
The market offers various deer repellents, but their effectiveness varies [2]. Some products claim to deter deer using unpleasant odours, often mimicking predator urine, or by producing an unpleasant shock [1]. Ultrasonic deer repellent, solar deer repellent lights, and motion-activated sprinklers can also help, but they are likely most effective when used in combination with other methods.
Electric Fencing
An electric fence is a common solution for keeping deer at bay. When deer touch their noses to the fence, they experience an unpleasant shock, discouraging them from approaching in the future [1].
Buffer Zones and Deer-Resistant Plants
Creating a buffer zone with deer-resistant plants and tighter plant spacing can help discourage deer grazing. Some deer-resistant plants include barrenwort, bergenia, lavender, catmint, milkweed, blue victory salvia, and alliums [1][3][5].
Unconventional Methods
Some gardeners have found success using unconventional methods like hanging foil takeout containers and old CDs above the garden fence to deter deer [2].
Deer-Resistant Vegetables
Deer-resistant vegetables include alliums and heavily fragranced herbs like onions, garlic, and rosemary [3].
Fencing Solutions
A good deer fence is typically the most effective way to keep deer out of a garden, but it might also be the most expensive [5]. In cases of light deer activity, fishing line may offer a cheap, simple alternative. String high-test, monofilament fishing line two feet from the perimeter of the garden and 30 to 36 inches above the ground [5].
For a multipurpose fence that keeps groundhogs, rabbits, and rodents out as well, bury a three-foot-tall, half-inch, welded-wire fence six inches into the soil [4]. Then string an additional three wires above the fence at 18-inch intervals.
Recognising Deer Damage
If entire plants disappear or large amounts of foliage have been torn off, you likely have deer visiting your garden at night. Damage to lower-hanging tomatoes can be attributed to groundhogs or raccoons. Look for hoof prints in soft, bare soil in and around your garden to confirm deer damage.
Contact Repellent
Contact repellent is sprayed directly on the plants to give them a disagreeable taste. Ingredients like putrescent eggs, cloves, garlic, and/or capsaicin are commonly used [2]. When using sprays on vegetable plants, choose natural products labeled for use on edible crops.
Remember, while some plants are deer-resistant, no plant is entirely deer-proof if deer are desperate for food [4][5]. Employing these less palatable plants can help reduce deer damage [1][3][5].
Adopting a dog, especially a big, loud one, can also deter deer from entering a garden [4].
[1] University of Minnesota Extension. (2021). Deer-resistant Plants. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-garden/deer-resistant-plants
[2] Cornell University. (n.d.). Deer-resistant Plants. https://blogs.cornell.edu/gardening/2017/04/12/deer-resistant-plants/
[3] National Wildlife Federation. (2021). Deer-Resistant Plants. https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Certify/Plant-List/Deer-Resistant
[4] Pennsylvania State University. (2021). Deer Damage. https://extension.psu.edu/deer-damage
[5] University of Rhode Island. (n.d.). Deer Resistant Plants. https://www.uri.edu/ce/extension/horticulture/deer-resistant-plants/
- Incorporate perennials like barrenwort, bergenia, lavender, catmint, milkweed, blue victory salvia, and alliums into your garden to act as a deterrent for deer.
- To create a simple, cheaper alternative to a deer fence, consider using high-test, monofilament fishing line around the perimeter of your garden.
- Adopting a big, loud dog could help deter deer from entering your home-and-garden, including your garden.
- In addition to deer-resistant plants, growing deer-resistant vegetables such as alliums and heavily fragranced herbs like onions, garlic, and rosemary can protect your vegetables from deer damage.
- To manage light deer activity, consider installing a welded-wire fence six inches into the soil, plus an additional three wires above the fence at 18-inch intervals for a fence that also keeps groundhogs, rabbits, and rodents out.
- During planting, consider using contact repellent spray like those containing putrescent eggs, cloves, garlic, and/or capsaicin, on your plants to give them an unappealing taste to deter deer.
