As a passionate advocate for cultivating edible plants in gardens, I eagerly set out to discover which plants might remain unappealing to deer. Trust me, I experimented with almost everything. Despite their reputation for being deer-resistant, many plants still fell victim to these persistent grazers. After three seasons in a garden frequented by deer not just as occasional visitors but as regular inhabitants, I have identified a list of edible plants that deer completely ignore, those that can be safeguarded with simple netting, and those that I ultimately decided to give up on. I ‘m excited to share this list with you.
Edible Plants Deer Don’t Eat (GREEN Plant List)
These plants are typically ignored by deer and can thrive without additional protection:
Blackcurrant and Redcurrant Gooseberry (recommended varieties: ‘Invicta’ and ‘Hinnonmaki Yellow’) Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
Rosemary (recommended variety: Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Green Ginger’)
Oregano (recommended variety: Origanum vulgare ‘Hot and Spicy’)
Sage (recommended varieties: Salvia officinalis ‘Icterina,’ ‘Purpurascens,’ and ‘Tricolor’)
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Thyme (recommended varieties: Thymus ‘Thyme of Provence’ and Thymus pulegioides ‘Foxley’) Lavender (recommended variety: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
Blue Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Anise Hyssop (recommended varieties: Agastache foeniculum ‘Golden Jubilee’ and Agastache rugosa ‘Little Adder’)
Bee Balm (recommended varieties: Monarda didyma ‘Beauty of Cobham’ and Monarda bradburiana) Lemon Balm (recommended variety: Melissa officinalis ‘All Gold’)
Mint (recommended varieties: Mentha x piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate,’ Mentha spicata var. crispa ‘Moroccan,’ and Mentha suaveolens var. crispa ‘Mojito’)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Basil (recommended variety: Ocimum ‘African Blue’)
Calendula (recommended variety: Calendula officinalis ‘Snow Princess’)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Fennel (recommended variety: Foeniculum vulgare ‘Giant Bronze’)
Plants That Can Be Grown in a Garden with Simple Protection from Deer (YELLOW Plant List)
Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Eggplants: Although often labeled as deer-resistant, young plants of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and eggplants are particularly vulnerable. Deer may nibble on these seedlings, and due to their underdeveloped root systems, the plants can be easily uprooted. Even if the deer do not consume the entire plant, the disturbance may result in the loss of some seedlings. As these plants mature, they generally become less attractive to deer. To protect young seedlings, use bird netting or temporary covers like plastic containers to ensure they establish securely.
Chard and parsley: Although they are often nibbled early in the season, these plants regenerate quickly. Planting them in small clusters throughout various areas of your garden, especially among aromatic plants, ensures an abundant supply for your family even if deer occasionally graze on them.
Kale: Varieties with dark, curly leaves are more likely to withstand deer browsing compared to those with smooth green leaves. However, kale still requires protection. Using butterfly netting on a hoop frame is an effective method to shield your kale from both deer and cabbage white butterflies, ensuring a win-win solution for your garden.
Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries: Deer are particularly fond of these berry bushes. We used a simple structure covered with bird netting to protect raspberries and blueberries. Blackberries need protection during their first couple of seasons. Mature plants can handle some browsing without significant harm.
Deer Love These Plants (RED Plant List)
If your garden lacks high fences and is open to deer, consider avoiding the following plants, which I have found, after many attempts, to be highly susceptible to deer damage. To save yourself from wasting money on seeds or seedlings, time planting and taking care of them, and the disappointment of seeing your plants devoured, it’s better to buy these berries and greens at your local market.
Strawberries: Despite my best efforts to cover them, deer always manage to sneak in and eat the leaves. Lettuce and Other Greens: Any greens with a neutral taste are particularly popular with deer.
Sweet Peas: No matter how well I cover them or mix them with spicy and aromatic herbs, deer always find and feast on this plant.
Beans: I still try to grow pole beans. While they are small and haven’t climbed onto a support, they definitely need protection. If you manage to hide them from the deer and let them climb onto a support, the lower leaves being eaten won’t cause much harm. However, I haven’t had any success with bush bean varieties; they are completely eaten by deer.
Broccoli and Sweet Corn: Deer absolutely love these crops, and without good fencing, you have a very low chance of growing them successfully.
Conclusion: If you have a fenced area where deer can’t enter, go ahead and plant from the RED Plant List. For areas where you can implement simple netting protection, focus on growing plants from the YELLOW Plant List. You can plant selections from the GREEN Plant List throughout your garden; even if deer nibble on them, these plants will regrow quickly, ensuring you still have something to harvest.
If you found these tips helpful and are seeking more in-depth guidance on creating a deer-resistant garden, explore my workbook, “Designing a Deer-Resistant Garden: Plant Selections and Combinations.” This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of information on deer-resistant plants and optimal planting combinations to help you cultivate a beautiful, resilient garden.
Preview and download here – “Designing a Deer-Resistant Garden: Plant Selections and Combinations.”
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