How to Keep Deer Out of The Garden

In my experience gardening on my small hobby farm, deer are attracted to tulips, swiss chard, spinach, carrots, and sunflowers, but will eat most things from peas, to young trees!

There are several ways of keeping deer out of your garden and yard.

Dogs

A dog will chase deer away in theory. Not all dogs are so keen to chase a deer, some will just watch, and a dog kept in the house will not be of any use in chasing deer away. Depending on where the deer and dog are in relationship to your garden, the dog could just as easily chase the deer into the garden, but at least it will leave, and should remember not to return.

Fencing

Deer are very good jumpers, only a five foot, or more, fence will do much to keep them out. In rural areas where people have large yards, such a tall fence is impractical, as well if your gate is low, the tall fence is a total waste.

Hair

This can be a bit unsightly but is probably the method that works the best. Obtain some hair, either human, or dog, and contain it in stockings, or a mesh bag. Hang these from trees around your yard, or from stakes within the garden itself. The smell from the hair is enough to keep most deer away. You can get human hair from hairdressers at the end of the day (call ahead). You can get dog hair from dog groomers.

Planting

There are some plants that deer do not like, such as wormwood. Often it is simply that the deer do not like to eat those plants and will eat something else, as such plants that are said to deter deer from your garden should be considered to only be effective at stopping eating that very plant itself.

Soap or Moth Balls

Some soaps have a smell deer do not like, in particular Ivory soap and Irish Spring soap. These need to be grated with a cheese grater and spread in the yard. Moth balls, on the other hand, should not be used, I only mention them because some people do use them and should be discouraged from doing so. They are toxic and some kids might (although I don’t know why) think of them as candy. As well, moth balls are not particularly good for the environment.

Urine

You can walk around your yard and pee. Male urine, in the morning, is particularly foul smelling and a good deterrent to deer. This is more practical if you have a small yard, and no nosy neighbors!

Coyote, bear, and even wolf, urine can be purchased at gardening shops, or hunting stores, and can be used in a similar way.

Scary Things

Some people hang wind chimes, tin cans, or old CD’s, from their trees to scare away deer. In my experience these work only for a short time and the deer eventually learn that these will do them no harm. To be effective you should move your scary things on a regular basis so deer do not become too familiar with them.

Training

Train the deer to stay out of your garden and yard by chasing them away every time you see them. Make loud noises and so forth. The deer will eventually learn that your yard is not a fun place to be and will give up on returning there. My wife has used this method to keep porcupines and coyotes out of our yard.

Give them What they Want

If you can’t beat them, join them. Once you know the normal pattern of the deer that visit your yard, put something out that will interest them more, such as a salt, or mineral, block. You may also offer them hay as well. Just be sure to check laws in your area as some places do not allow intentional feeding of wildlife.

Further Reading

What to do if you Find an Abandoned Fawn

Help for Wild Deer

Wildlife Home Invasion

Gardening – Six Wonderful Weeds you can Eat