How To Protect Your Vegetable Garden From Deer

Fence To Keep Deer Out Of Vegetable Garden Home and Garden Designs from www.bluegreenish.com

If you’re an avid gardener, you’ve probably encountered issues with deer damage. Deer can cause extensive damage to your vegetable garden in a short amount of time. With their sharp hooves and long snouts, they can quickly tear through your plants and gobble up your vegetables. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your vegetable garden from deer.

Create a Fencing Barrier

By far, the most effective way to keep deer out of your vegetable garden is to build a fence around the perimeter. Deer can jump surprisingly high, so you’ll want to make sure your fence is at least 8 feet tall. Make sure the fence is made of sturdy material, like chicken wire or a metal mesh, which will be difficult for the deer to chew through. You can also add an extra layer of protection by creating a roof or overhang over the fence. This will help keep deer from jumping over the fence.

Add Some Scary Sounds

Deer are easily scared away by loud noises. You can set up motion-activated devices like wind chimes, bells, or alarms that will make a loud noise when the deer approach. You can also set up a radio near the perimeter of your garden that will play loud music or talk radio. Although these devices won’t get rid of the deer permanently, they can be a good temporary solution.

Install Some Lighting

Deer prefer to be active at night, and they’re especially attracted to gardens that are dark and quiet. Installing some bright, motion-activated floodlights around your vegetable garden can help to scare away the deer. The lights will turn on when the deer approach, and the sudden bright light can be enough to spook them away.

Try a Homemade Repellent

There are many homemade deer repellents you can use to protect your vegetable garden. One of the easiest recipes is to mix two parts hot sauce with one part dish soap and one part water. Spray the mixture directly onto your plants and it should keep the deer away. You can also sprinkle blood meal, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder around the perimeter of your garden. All of these ingredients have a strong, unpleasant odor that deer don’t like.

Grow Your Own Repellent Plants

Planting certain plants around your vegetable garden can act as a natural repellent for deer. Plants like lavender, marigolds, and garlic are all known to have a strong, unpleasant smell that deer don’t like. Planting these plants around the perimeter of your garden can help to keep deer away. You can also try planting some prickly plants like roses or holly, which can act as a physical barrier and make it difficult for deer to get through.

Install a Deer-Proof Netting

If you want to keep deer out of your garden but don’t want to build a fence, you can install a deer-proof netting. This type of netting is made of a lightweight, durable material that is difficult for deer to chew through. It’s also easy to install, and you can find netting in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit your garden. The netting won’t keep out all the deer, but it can help to reduce the amount of damage they do.

Try a Deer Repellent Spray

There are many commercial deer repellent sprays available that you can use to protect your vegetable garden. These sprays contain ingredients like garlic, pepper, and other unpleasant smells that deer don’t like. You can spray the repellent directly onto your plants and it should help keep the deer away. Be sure to reapply the repellent every few weeks to make sure it’s still effective.

Utilize Other Animals

If you want an all-natural solution to keeping deer away from your vegetable garden, you can try using other animals. Dogs and cats are natural predators of deer, and having them roam around your garden can help to keep the deer away. You can also try setting up a bird feeder near your garden, as birds of prey like hawks and owls can also help to scare away the deer.

Conclusion

Deer can cause a lot of damage to your vegetable garden, but there are some steps you can take to protect it. Building a fence around the perimeter can be an effective way to keep the deer out. You can also try using motion-activated devices, lighting, repellent sprays, and other natural deterrents to keep deer away. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your vegetable garden safe and healthy.