Deer Protection

With the exploding deer populations, gardeners are finding it impossible to keep the deer away. Plant damage from deer is very frustrating and can make a gardener want to give up. So how do you keep those pesky animals away? The solutions can be broken down in to three categories: Plant Palette, Physical Barriers, Repellents. Spraying repellants, resistant plant selection and design process, and protective netting are all offered at Meissner Landscape, Inc.

Plant Pallette

Unfortunately, deer will eat almost any plant if food is limited, but they prefer some plants over others. Below is a list of plants we like to use at Meissner Landscape that are considered “deer resistant” and are rarely or seldomly eaten:

This list only names a few. You can stop by Meissner Landscape for a complete list.

Physical Barriers

Netting

You can wrap plastic netting around almost any flower, small tree or shrub to protect it from roaming deer. The bad thing about this is that the material degrades and breaks down depending on how much sunlight it is exposed to if left on plants. We apply this in the fall to trees and shrubs that need protection during the winter months when food in the woods is not as plentiful. We then remove it in spring so the new foliage doesn’t grow into it.

Fencing

This is the most dependable way to keep deer away. Here are four different types of deer fencing:

Upright

Deer can jump very high so a standard upright wooden, chain link, or polypropylene fence should be at least 8 feet tall with no open areas for the deer to get under or through.

Slanted

The slanted style should be 5 feet tall and slanted outward, away from the garden. This will confuse the deer because they normally walk under the overhang, making them think there is not another way around it.

Double Row

The double fence consists of side by side parallel fences. They should be 4 feet tall and 4 feet apart. This will make the deer fearful of not being able to land when jumping over it.

Electrical

An electrical fence will give the deer a shock when touched, hoping to make no returns! You will want to mark the wires so they are visible to surrounding people. To get the deer’s attention, you may want to bait it with an apple or peanut butter so that they notice the food instead of what is on the other side of the fence. They will get a shock when they try to eat the bait and will remember they shouldn’t go there again.

TIP: For any type of fence, always keep your plants 2 feet away so that the deer aren’t able to nibble on the edges of them.

Repellents

Most repellents are odor or taste deterrents and if used correctly they can be effective. You can apply odor based repellent to shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials; applying it directly on the plant and around them. We would recommend using Liquid Fence; we have had the best luck with this product. Don’t wear your best clothes when applying these sprays; you may come away from the application with residue on yourself. You will need to reapply the sprays to the new growth of plants, and if you keep up with this, the deer will know it is not something they want to eat. For best results on the use of any repellent, read the manufacturers label.

Lastly, always remember DO NOT feed the deer. This will attract them to your yard and they will check out all your plants after they eat what you put out for them. Deer are habitual animals and if you can do things that don’t attract them to your yard, the better it will be for your garden.