Any Gardener who wakes one morning to find that their plants have disappeared overnight and little pointy hoof prints have taken their place, will immediately become interested in deer control strategies!!! I have outlined some of the strategies that have worked for me and I sincerely hope they will help you.

These are the 4 methods I use: plant selection, repellents, scare devices and fencing.

Keep in mind what you are really trying to accomplish is to change an animal’s natural pattern of travel and feeding. It takes diligence and planning to do this, but the rewards are keeping those treasured plants you’ve invested your love, work and dollars in!

You can do it!

PLANT SELECTION

You can obtain many comprehensive deer resistant plant lists at any garden center or on-line. There is one problem with this, however. Deer eat differently from one area to another!  This list contains my personal favorites that I know work for me here in Gig Harbor.

* Note: Sometimes you will notice that a plant is just “nibbled” on. That is usually done by a young deer “sampling” and sometimes they never touch it again.

Perennial Asters – late summer & fall color

All Perennial Herbs (the annual herbs are deer dinner) – Lavender, Rosemary & Salvias or Sages are in this category and are spectacular in your garden.

Shasta Daisies – early summer

Coreopsis – thread-leaf only; flowers all summer

Catmint – all varieties; blue flowers all summer

Crocosmia – red, orange & yellow; blooms all summer

Hardy Fuchsias – bloom summer to fall

Rudbeckia – yellow flowers; summer through fall

Iris – all colors; spring

Toad Lilies – late summer through fall

Heather – beautiful winter & early spring color

Peonies – all colors; spring

Echinacea – pink, yellow, orange; summer to fall

Bleeding Hearts – pink or white; early spring

Lamium – shade plant; pink, white or purple flowers on silver leaves; blooms spring to fall

Lilacs – spring bloomer

Senecio – silver foliage; evergreen

Honeysuckle – very fragrant; blooms spring through fall

Bulbs – Snowdrops: January-February; white bloom. Daffodils: early spring.

Nicotiana – blooms all summer; many colors

Yarrow – pink, white, orange, yellow; summer

Hellebores – variety of colors; winter to spring

Miscanthus – ornamental grass; fall color & large silver plumes for winter interest

Forsythia – shrub; yellow; blooms early spring

SCARE DEVICES

The only one I’ve found to be effective is the “Scarecrow.” It works best if set up right in the spot where deer enter your garden. This device looks like a sprinkler. It hooks to a hose and has a motion detector built in. When the deer walk into its 35-foot range, they are hit with a hard spray of water which will continue every few seconds until they leave the area. (Don’t forget to turn it off before you go out to work in the area!)

REPELLANTS

The repellants work either by taste or smell to deter deer. These are the three I use. I recommend rotating them.

Liquid Fence – My personal favorite because I can quickly walk around my garden spraying the perimeter as well as the plants that I know deer will eat. Spray once a week for a month and after that once a month (or every 2 weeks if deer are constantly in the area). Apply when there is at least 4 hours of “dry.” If there are heavy rains for several days, it’s a good idea to re-apply. Liquid Fence works to repel by odor, which after the first 30 minutes you can’t smell, but the deer can!

St. Gabriels – Newer on the market, less expensive than Liquid Fence, but works primarily the same way. They say it works up to 3 months, after initial 4 weekly treatments. However, it’s noted that re-applying after prolonged rain is advised.

This One Works – Is best for trees & shrubs. It has an ingredient that bonds better with woody plants. The best times to apply are Sept. & Feb. when deer have less to eat and go after trees & shrubs.

FENCING

A. Fencing at least 8 feet high will completely protect an area. (mesh netting or wire).

B Solid fences at least 6 feet high will usually work, because they keep the deer from spotting potential “snacks.”

C. Electric fencing baited with peanut butter has worked well for some. (Deer tend not to return for second helpings of the shocking peanut butter!)

D. Short fences (4 feet) of stakes and string or fishing line work well to protect a small area.

Set up the first fence, then place a second fence 4 feet apart from the first. Hang garlic clips (or lemon peel) at about 5-foot intervals along the line. The “double” fence deters deer because they are afraid of getting entrapped in small spaces where they can’t maneuver. The garlic clips and lemon peel are repellant enough to keep the deer discouraged from sticking around and figuring out they could easily leap over and have dinner!

E. Small enclosures of wire fencing help protect small trees (use garlic clips on these also).

Good luck!