This guide will teach you how to keep deer out of your garden. It is a must-read for those who want to grow healthy plants and vegetables, live in peace with wildlife, or raise their own food without the risk of being attacked by hungry deer.
The “keeping deer out of vegetable garden” is a guide that contains information on how to keep deer out of your garden beds. The guide also includes information on what plants to grow and where, as well as other tips such as fencing and repellents.
Deer management is one of the most challenging difficulties for rural gardeners, because they, like us, find most of our favorite fruits, veggies, and plants to be a delightful feast! If deer locate your planting beds, they’ll quickly realize that the treats you’ve put in your garden are delicious!
We’ll provide you a step-by-step instruction on how to keep deer out of your garden beds using 21 strategies that have been proved to work for many gardeners! Let’s dive right in and find out what they’re about!
Contents
1. Construct an Invisible Barrier
The first item on the list is an invisible fence, which is one of the most popular and ingenious ways to keep deer out of garden beds. Using a fence is, of course, the first thing that springs to mind when keeping an animal out.
A normal fence, on the other hand, could be ineffective against the deer due to their extremely high leap. The key is to build an invisible barrier that the deer can’t see but is strong enough to prevent them from passing.
What’s amazing about the invisible fence is that it functions flawlessly while enabling you to enjoy your garden’s lovely environment. Another amazing feature is that it does not need any DIY skills to construct.
Depending on the size of your garden, you’ll need several spools of transparent fishing line for the invisible fence.
To keep the wall solid, start by anchoring numerous long wooden stakes (about 5 to 6 feet tall) firmly into the earth around your garden. After that, tie a few rows of fishing lines around the posts, approximately 3 to 4 feet apart.
Because deer can’t see the ultra-durable fishing line, they won’t try to leap over it and will instead abandon the area in bewilderment rather than wait and try to find another way in. Make sure the fence is robust and well-anchored in the ground by inspecting it every day.
2. Don’t Plant Appetizing Fruits and Vegetables
Although this may seem to be a no-brainer, you’ll be astonished at how powerful this strategy may be. Even when they’re starving, deer are notoriously picky eaters.
Deer will most likely visit your garden during a season when they are out foraging and hunting for food. Planting deer-resistant plants that they don’t like to eat is the greatest approach to prevent having your crops eaten by deer.
Because deer depend on their sense of smell to find food, having a pungent-smelling crop will usually keep them away from your yard.
There are also some ordinary crops that don’t have a strong odor or flavor, but they don’t appeal to deer.
There are lots of edible crops that deer despise if you’re all about growing delicious food things, such as:
- Onions
- Leeks
- Garlic
- Asparagus
- Chives
- Eggplants
- Carrots
- Lemon balm is a herb that is used to treat
- Oregano
- Fennel
- Dill
- Sage
- Mint
- Lavender
- Fig
- Parsley
- Rhubarb
- Artichoke
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Tarragon
3. Use Animal Repellents using Ultrasonic Waves
Audiologists discovered that humans have a very small hearing field when compared to other animals after years of study and investigations. Humans, for example, have a frequency range of 2 to 5 kHz at best, but deer have a range of 4 to 8 kHz.
This implies that deer can hear a broad spectrum of ultrasonic waves that humans are unable to detect. These discoveries were exploited by several pest control businesses to develop what are now known as “ultrasonic repellents.”
What’s nice about these gadgets is that neither people nor animals are harmed by them. It has, however, proved to be quite efficient in forcing animals to stay away from gardens and yards.
These gadgets function by employing a series of motion sensors to detect any movement within a range of parameters that you may modify.
They’ll discharge high-intensity ultrasonic waves that humans can’t hear but animals can hear once they detect any disturbance or movement inside their zone of detection.
One disadvantage of this approach is that it might irritate domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, who can hear these waves as well, therefore you must keep them at a safe distance from the gadget.
4. Construct a double-walled fence
Many people believe that the best way to keep deer out of garden beds is to erect a tall fence that they can’t leap over.
While they are technically correct, everyone who has ever observed a deer run knows how high they can leap. Deer can leap up to 8 feet, so if you’re planning to erect a fence around your garden or yard, make sure it’s at least that tall.
Another thing to keep in mind about deer jumps is that they can get extremely high at the cost of distance. To put it another way, deer can only leap very high or extremely far, but not both. Deer also avoid leaping into confined locations where they would get stuck and unable to escape.
You can take advantage of this fact by erecting a double-walled fence. To do this, construct a 5-foot-high box wire or chicken wire fence around your garden or yard.
Then, from the outside, surround it with a sturdier picket fence of the same height and spaced 5 feet apart. This should take advantage of the deer’s poor depth perception, preventing them from attempting to leap both fences.
5. Plant Dense Evergreen Hedges in Thick Hedges
Deer are not the most daring creatures, and they seldom leap fences unless they can plainly see what’s on the other side of the fence.
You’ll keep the garden plants out of their sight, and they won’t leap the fence, even if it’s a low one, if you keep them out of their thoughts.
Using spreading high hedges of short needle or boxwood spruces around your garden is the simplest and most visually beautiful technique to entirely conceal your garden from deer.
Deer won’t consider jumping over these evergreen dense bushes because they don’t produce fruits and are typically deer repellent.
6. Scatter Soap Shavings Throughout the Yard
Deer have been invading private property for centuries, and there have been several traditional treatments to keep them at away. However, one of the tried-and-true strategies for keeping deer away from the garden’s plants is still in use today!
You’ll need a lot of soap and a long-grain grater for this procedure. Begin shredding the soap bars into little shavings and scattering them over the plants. Ideally, any aromatic soap would suffice, with the exception of coconut-scented soaps (coconut scent will attract them).
The fatty tallow in the soap, according to scientific studies, is the principal deterrent. Also, since most of these soaps are sodium-free, they shouldn’t hurt the plants when used during deer season.
Because they only break down when it rains, this cure should endure for a long time (nearly a month).
Despite their low salt concentration, they are effective in dehydrating bugs, aphids, and other pests in the soil.
7. Use protective netting to wrap the plants.
Although traditional fence may not be effective in keeping deer out of garden beds, deer can typically be kept away by covering them in protective netting.
These nettings and wraps act as physical barriers to keep deer away from your tasty treats.
The deer should usually flee due to the bewilderment, but if they don’t, the netting should allow you enough time to find out about deer in your yard and scare them away.
Depending on the sort of plant you wish to protect, there are a variety of protective alternatives available, including Netting for the Garden, Netting for camouflage, and Wrapping a Tree.
Netting for the Garden
Eluck Bird Netting, 6.9 X 98 Ft, 3/4″ Square Mesh Size, Protect Plants and Fruit Trees, Extra Strong Garden Net, Anti Bird Deer Protection Net, Doesn’t Tangle and Reusable Eluck Bird Netting, 6.9 X 98 Ft, 3/4″ Square Mesh Size, Protect Plants and Fruit Trees, Extra Strong Garden Net, Anti Bird Deer Protection Net, Doesn’t Tangle and Reusable
- This bird netting is made of 3/4″ Nylon and has a high intension to protect your fruit, greenery, and fish from birds, squirrels, and other thieving creatures.
- 🐭UV inhibitor insures a longer life of this Netting for the Garden.
- No Damage to Animals: This pond netting is devoid of chemicals and has no sharp edges, so it simply keeps animals out while causing no harm to them.
- It comes with a 50-meter Garden Twist Tie that is simple to use and wrap up.
- Size of the net: 6.9 * 98 (feet) Mesh Dimensions: 3/4″ Square Mesh
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Netting for camouflage
iunio Camo Netting, Camouflage Net, Bulk Roll, Mesh, Cover, Blind for Hunting, Decoration, Sun Shade, Party, Camping, Outdoor iunio Camo Netting, Camouflage Net, Bulk Roll, Mesh, Cover, Blind for Hunting, Decoration, Sun Shade, Party, Camping, Outdoor (Black, 16.4ftx5ft 5mx1.5m)
- Camo Netting, 16.4ftx5ft/5mx1.5m black Netting for camouflage.
- Black coloration allows for good visibility of the surrounding environment while also giving optimal field concealment.
- To produce the size you need, just cut and attach using cable ties as shown.
- Hunting, photography, tree houses, and home decoration are all possibilities. Your creativity is the only limit to what you can do with it.
- Take this Netting for camouflage with you on your next outdoor excursion and feel confidently covered in the wilderness.
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Wrapping a Tree
Winter-proof Tree Protector Wrap Plants Bandage Packing Tree Wrap for Warming and Moisturizing Asdomo Tree Protector Wrap – 20m13cm2.5mm – 20m13cm2.5mm – 20m13cm
- SIZE: Each roll of tree protection wrap is approximately 65 feet long and 4.7 inches wide. You may trim it to any length for multi-tree protection, and it’s long enough to protect your trees.
- MATERIAL: Made of high-quality non-woven fabric, the plant protection cloth has excellent warming and moisturizing capabilities to assist plants withstand the cold, while its breathability enables your trees to breathe freely.
- PURPOSE: Assist trees in resisting cold and frost damage in the winter, protect trees from high-intensity sunlight, and promote healthy growth. Heat-reflecting, sun-blocking, and breathable. Increase your chances of surviving the winter.
- EASY TO USE: Simply fasten the wrap at the base of the tree, spiral up and around the tree until you reach the desired height, then secure the top end with a rope to finish the tree protection.
- APPLICATION: For all types of fruit trees, shrubs, landscape trees, and garden decorative plants. It may also be used to safeguard nutrient levels during plant transplantation.
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8. Remove any standing water or puddles.
Deer are interested in more than just food. They’ll also come to a halt near any open source of standing water to drink. And, as nature intended, you usually find both water and food at one location!
It’s more probable that they’ll glance about and see your tiny slice of bliss in that instance. Remember that the longer deer stay on your land, the more at ease and safe they will feel. As a result, you must make your yard and garden as unpleasant as possible for them.
9. Plant thorny and prickly foliage
When it comes to the uncomfortable, it’s already been shown that deer would smell out food before eating it. If you want to keep the deer out of your garden, grow some prickly and thorny plants around the perimeter.
Cactus, holly bushes, and hawthorns, for example, are noted for their prickly qualities. You can ensure a secure garden by carefully planting them around the garden’s boundaries.
Deer will usually avoid food that has a fuzzy texture, in addition to spiky leaves. Plant barberries, lamb’s ear, and cleome in your garden to achieve this.
10. Allow the dogs to run free!
Deer are prey for a variety of canines, including wolves and coyotes, who are distant cousins of dogs. That is why they avoid being around any dog-like species, including dogs themselves.
Deer, regardless of breed or size, will usually avoid your garden if they see, smell, or hear a dog about your home.
As a result, keeping your pet dog outside as often as possible is a certain strategy to naturally prevent deer and other garden pests and invaders!
11. Sprinkle the garden using motion-activated water sprinklers
Spooking a deer, in addition to adequate fence and building a barrier, is a very effective means of keeping them out of your yard. Shiny things and bright mirrors, on the other hand, are less intimidating to the new breed of urban deer.
A quick assault of a water sprinkler, on the other hand, will make them think twice about entering your yard again. Most motion-activated water sprinklers on the market can easily detect deer trots and hops.
The deer would be scared all the way home by the unexpected roar of the sprinklers paired with the shower of water! If you’re going to get a sprinkler, make sure it’s adjustable so you can manage the quantity of water and the sensitivity to save money on your water bill.
12. Keep them at bay with floodlights
IP65 Waterproof Landscape Lamp, Motion Activated LED Solar Lights with Bright/Dim Mode, 2 Pieces
- MOTION ACTIVATED WITH Brilliant/DIM MODE – In the evening, the solar light will switch on automatically; it will be dim mode (10LM) at first, then bright mode (300LM) when you walk inside the detecting area (8M/26ft). It will return to dim mode (10LM) after around 60 seconds of inactivity to save energy. As a result, the spotlight might have a longer illuminating period than other models. The solar light would automatically switch off throughout the day.
- ANGLE ADJUSTABLE – The solar lamp has an adjustable knob that allows you to alter the angle of the light and solar panel for the best sun exposure.
- 2 INSTALLATION OPTIONS – It may be mounted on a wall or put into the ground, making it simple to install.
- IP65 WATERPROOF — Ideal for walkways, gardens, yards, and driveways, among other places.
- LONG TIGHTING Duration – The solar light includes a 2200mAh rechargeable battery, which means that after a complete charge, the lighting time might be 6H-12H, which is longer than other model solar lights.
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Shiny things may no longer frighten deer, but floodlights and other sources of light do. Because too much light makes the deer feel vulnerable and apparent to predators, which they usually avoid, this is the case.
Motion-activated LED lights are also available, which are more effective in deterring burglars.
13. Use a Smelly Mix to Spray the Plant
Spraying a simple mix with an unpleasant aroma is another ancient, yet incredibly successful, home technique for keeping deer away. Despite the foul odor, the combination has been demonstrated to work for years.
To prepare this mixture, whisk together 1/2 cup milk, a single egg, and a few squirts of dish soap in a gallon of water. Allow the mixture to rest in the sun for a few hours before spraying it.
The powerful odor will drive the deer back into the woods, and fortunately, it will decay before morning, so you won’t have to smell it.
14. Make a Lot of Noise
For a long time, people have been frightening deer with clunking noises. Empty tin cans can be used to get a similar effect. Simply tie them together and hang them like wind chimes to frighten them away.
15. Scare them away with scarecrows
You should never underestimate scarecrows’ power to keep deer out of your garden, no matter how old they are.
You may put a model scarecrow of a coyote in front of your yard if you don’t have a pet or don’t want to keep them out all day. For enhanced authenticity, some scarecrow models can make noises or wiggle their tails.
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Outside the Fences, Place a Decoy Fruit Basket
Keeping the deer out doesn’t always imply that you’re depriving them of food. You can simply leave a basket of deer-favorite fruits away from the garden if you only want to keep the deer from eating your garden’s produce.
Deer, like other wild creatures, are continually seeking for the fastest and safest manner to finish a meal without putting themselves in danger. If you have a vast property and simply want to frighten the deer away for good, this strategy could work for you.
17. As Soon As Fruits and Vegetables Are Ready, Pick Them
When you leave fruits and vegetables out too long after they’re ripe, they acquire appealing hues and fragrances that animals find more appealing.
By plucking the fruits as soon as they’re available and scouring the yard for any remaining food, you’ll force the deer to hunt for food elsewhere.
18. Put up an electric fence.
Electric fences would send a warning zap to deer entering your yard, telling them to stay away. Before erecting an electric fence, make sure that it is legal in your area.
19. Construct a Greenhouse
Deer aren’t usually aware of the notion of transparent things such as glass or plastic sheets. They would usually abandon the idea after a few futile efforts to access your garden via a greenhouse and never return.
To have more control over the environment surrounding the plants, every professional gardener would consider installing a greenhouse. You may purchase one or make one yourself by following any of the many DIY plastic greenhouse methods available on the internet.
20. Take a look at commercial deer repellents.
There are several commercial deer repellents available, most of which are composed of non-toxic, natural components.
Despite their high cost, they’re the quickest and easiest approach to solve this issue without making too many modifications to your everyday routine.
Deer Out and Scrambled Deer are the most popular products for the task.
Deer Out
Sale
Deer Out 32oz Deer Repellent Concentrate
- Over 100,000 Repeat Customers – Deer Out has been the go-to brand for professional gardeners, landscapers, and farmers for over 20 years. It’s fantastic!
- Minty Fresh Scent – Smells great to humans, but our Deer Out proprietary composition naturally repels deer, elk, and moose.
- Two natural stickers that won’t wash off keep deer away from your plants! Deer Out can withstand rain.
- Deer Out uses solely natural components and is thus ecologically friendly. It’s safe to use around kids and pets.
- Deer Out is Guaranteed Effective! 100% Money Back Guarantee!
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Scrambled Deer
There were no items found.
21. Seek professional assistance
Although some of these approaches are likely to work for you, it’s never a bad idea to seek expert assistance if you can’t complete the task on your own.
Fortunately, there are numerous animal control companies that specialize in deer proofing your property.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our advice on how to keep deer out of garden beds today. As you can see, there are a variety of options to consider if you want to keep deer out of your garden.
One thing to bear in mind is that some of these strategies and tactics are effective against a range of animals, not simply deer.
It goes without saying that some of these strategies may be more appropriate for you or perform better than others.
With a little time and determination, you’ll be able to discover the perfect approach (or solutions) for protecting your garden against animal incursions that will last for years!
The “how to keep deer out of yard in winter” is a guide for people who want to learn how to keep deer out of their garden beds. The article includes information about what plants are good for attracting deer, and how to avoid having them eat your plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep deer from eating your vegetable garden?
A: A deer repellent is a spray that you can use to keep the deer away from your vegetable garden. You will also need to provide them with an alternative food source by planting flowers, grasses, and other plants that are not in danger of being eaten, or plant crops such as kale
How do you keep deer out of a garden bed?
A: Deer will eat your plants if they have the opportunity. If you dont want them to, then there are a few things you can do:
-Invest in fencing that does not allow deer access (make sure its effective – some fences may be too thin for this)
-Create thorn patches where food is often found such as along edges of tall and wide hedges. This makes eating difficult or outright impossible
How do I keep deer out of my garden naturally?
A: Deer will naturally avoid areas with loud noises, bright lights, and any other changes in the areas visual appearance. If you notice they are entering your garden during these times or on a regular basis then it is most likely that there is something closer to them such as a bird feeder or food source of some sort. Pick up this item and remove it from their reach if need be until they learn not to enter your property anymore.
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