The Globe Artichoke, Cynara cardunculus, is prized for its edible flower buds and silvery-green foliage. Although often categorized as deer-resistant, deer can eat artichokes, typically only when preferred food sources are scarce. While the plant is not a favorite browse item, hungry deer will readily cause damage to a garden patch. Understanding the factors that make artichokes unappealing helps gardeners protect their crops.
Deer Palatability and Artichoke Appeal
Artichokes possess several natural defenses that make them a low-preference food for deer and other browsing herbivores. The large, mature leaves have a tough, fibrous texture and are often covered in sharp spines. These physical characteristics provide a physical deterrent, making the plant less digestible and less desirable compared to tender garden vegetables.
The plant also contains a high concentration of chemical compounds, such as phenolics, which contribute to a bitter flavor. These compounds can be anti-microbial and potentially interfere with the digestive processes of ruminants like deer. Deer must manage their intake of these compounds, making artichokes an unpalatable dietary choice when other options are available.
Research suggests that deer may selectively feed on mature artichoke leaves rather than young, tender growth, which is contrary to typical browsing habits. This selection may be a strategy to limit the intake of phenolic compounds, which are sometimes more concentrated in immature tissues. Despite these protections, new transplants and soft, developing flower buds remain vulnerable. This vulnerability is heightened during periods of high deer population density or drought when natural forage is limited.
Identifying Signs of Artichoke Damage
Recognizing the specific patterns of deer damage is the first step in protecting artichoke plants, as their browsing differs significantly from other garden pests. Deer lack upper incisors, so they cannot make a clean cut when feeding on vegetation. Instead, they tear the plant material, which leaves a characteristic ragged or jagged edge on the remaining leaves and stalks.
Damage caused by smaller animals like rabbits or woodchucks, in contrast, typically shows a neat, clean, and angled cut. Deer browsing usually focuses on the most vulnerable parts: the soft, newly emerged central leaves and the developing flower buds. Deer damage can occur as high as six feet up the plant, while smaller pests only affect lower foliage. Finding accompanying evidence, such as hoof prints or pellet-like droppings near the damaged plants, confirms a deer as the culprit.
Practical Strategies for Deer Exclusion
The most reliable method for protecting artichokes is the use of physical barriers to prevent access entirely. A permanent perimeter fence is the most effective solution, but it must be at least seven to eight feet high to deter deer, who are capable jumpers. For smaller areas, a temporary barrier can be created using four-foot wire fencing angled outward. This angle deters deer from jumping by confusing their perception of the barrier’s height.
Chemical and sensory deterrents offer another layer of protection when applied directly to the plants. Commercially available repellents work either by taste, making the foliage unpleasant, or by scent, mimicking a predator or offensive odor. For effectiveness, repellents must be rotated every few weeks to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single smell or taste.
A highly effective, low-cost alternative is a homemade repellent spray made from a mixture of raw eggs and water. This solution creates an unpleasant odor that deters deer from browsing. Any repellent, whether commercial or homemade, must be reapplied every ten to fourteen days, or immediately following heavy rain, to ensure continuous coverage, especially on new growth.