How to Outsmart Deer in Your Garden

by Toni Leland    

As I watch my lilies and other tender plants emerge from the frosty ground, I realize it's time to prepare myself for the onslaught of deer who will eat these shoots to the ground. The following post is perennial, and warrants re-posting as we head into spring.

This lovely deer fawn is "hiding" behind a post.

By late May to early June, the deer in our woods will be fawning and, right now, there is nothing hungrier than a pregnant doe! 

Gardeners love to share their efforts with friends and neighbors, but none of us likes to share the garden with the deer. Beautiful as they are, their voracious appetites can decimate a flower bed in one early morning browse. What took hours to plant and tend, and months to grow, can disappear in the blink of an eye. 


And according to Colorado State University Extension and other experts, there are simply NO plants that are deer proof. Those of you who live in rural locations already know how much damage these creatures can inflict on home gardens and crops. 

Deer are no longer wary of residential areas.

Many commercial deer repellents are available, but one that really works – and this is from my own personal experience living in very rural areas of Ohio and Connecticut – is a recipe from the Colorado State University Extension. Simple and effective, this egg-based formula repels the vegetarian deer by the odor of animal protein. The formula does not have to be rotten, it does not need soap or anything to make it stick to the leaves. AND it lasts for many weeks, even through heavy rain.

     The average White Tailed Deer eats approximately 7 pounds of vegetation per day; a pregnant or lactating doe will consume 
up to 10 pounds. That's a lot of hostas!

     

Hosta Shoots are vulnerable

     Hostas and lilies are a favorite plant in the residential landscape and, as our population grows, the deer move closer and closer to our private space.  And our beautiful gardens.

     When these wonderful plants begin to emerge, poking their bright green spikes of unfurled leaves through the mulch, that is the time to start your war with the deer. The newer and more tender the leaves, the better they like them. With lilies of all types, the unopened buds are irresistible to deer.

(L)New, untreated daylily shoots on an April afternoon. (R) Deer damaged lilies the next morning.

DEER REPELLANT RECIPE

Make a solution of 20% whole egg yolk  and 80% water.
If using fresh eggs, you will need to remove the white membrane (chalaza) that covers the yolk, because it will clog your sprayer. Removing this chalaza is not an easy job, so I experimented with processed liquid egg product. It works just as well; either product with egg white only or a mixture with yolks will do – it's the animal protein odor you are after.

Deer repellant used 8 oz egg product to 32 oz water.

Mix up a batch of this concoction in a gallon milk jug and keep it in a cool place. On a dry day, apply the mixture using a good sprayer with a coarse opening, or a sprinkling can with large holes. Liberally apply the mixture to all your emerging plants, new leaves on ornamental trees and shrubs, and basically anything that you don't want eaten. Once dry, the product won't wash off for a long time. Make a note on your calendar when you made the application, so that if you see evidence of browsing damage in a month or so, you'll know to apply it again.

I've found that this solution also deters rabbits from munching on things. Applied to edibles like lettuce and leafy greens, the egg-product is perfectly safe to eat.

For more detailed information on deer and their habits, visit CSU's Extension link.

Good Luck!