It happens over and over again. You wait and wait for those much anticipated flowers, checking constantly to see if any have appeared. Then when you are sure that you are going to arise in the morning to a sea of blooms, you find that your entire garden has been wiped out by those four legged mowing machines called deer. After investing a small fortune in so-called deer resistant plants that turned into their late night feast, it seems futile. It is tempting to just throw in the towel and forget about having a garden. But there are a few plants that they absolutely will not touch, and a method or two that actually work to successfully repel deer.
Deer Proof Plants
There are countless books and magazine articles out there full of lists of plants that deer won’t eat, but they aren’t really all that accurate. In reality, there are only a handful of plants they won’t eat, no matter how hungry they are. Perhaps the most deer-proof is the foxglove. Not only gorgeous and ridiculously easy to grow, they are highly toxic, and are never even nibbled. . Forget about planting those spring tulips, which are like dessert for deer, but invest in daffodils instead. These are also poisonous, actually containing arsenic, and nothing touches them. They will grow practically anywhere, even in poor soil. Datura and Nicotiana are both deer proof as well, and are showy and beautiful additions to any garden area. Any of these is a sure bet to grow and bloom without deer browsing.
Repellents
What about all of those deer repellents sold in stores and catalogs? Many of them actually work. On the down side (there’s always a down side, isn’t there?) most are pretty expensive. The varieties that say they contain coyote or lion urine are really effective, but usually cost more that $20 for just a few ounces. They also need to be reapplied every time it rains, which many will forget to do. There are a few repellents that only need to be applied once or twice in a growing season, but again they are extremely expensive.
Inexpensive Alternatives
What are the alternatives for those who don’t have the cash to invest in all of those commercial products? Well, anything with a strong odor will work for a while. Strong smelling soaps are effective when placed in various spots around the garden. Deer will get used to a the scent after a while, so scents should be switched around after a week or two. Perhaps the best repellent is simple kerosene. Just soaking a few rags and placing them a few yards apart will repel deer for weeks. While we will have to put up with the smell for a couple of days, a deer’s sensitive nose will pick up the odor much longer. They simply can’t stand it and won’t come near. This is the one thing that always works, but it has it’s drawbacks too. It really stinks, and it is messy and greasy to apply. It is difficult to get off of hands and clothing, so care must be taken when using it. Rubber gloves are a must when handling the rags. Planning to stay out of the garden for a day or two is a good idea. After that, the odor shouldn’t be a problem.
