Mustard greens are a popular choice for home gardens. Gardeners often worry about deer eating their crops. Understanding how deer interact with mustard greens is key to protecting your harvest.
Deer and Mustard Greens
While mustard greens possess a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that some sources suggest deer dislike, they will consume them under certain circumstances. Deer are adaptable foragers; their dietary preferences shift based on other food availability and local deer population. In areas where preferred browse (like tender shoots and succulent plants like hostas or fruit trees) is scarce, mustard greens become a more appealing option.
Plant growth stage influences a deer’s decision; younger, tender greens are more palatable than mature, tougher leaves. If deer find mustard greens during a period of limited natural forage, they may return, establishing a habit. Conversely, some reports indicate deer might avoid mustard greens entirely, even in deer food plots.
Signs of Deer Damage on Mustard Greens
Deer feeding on mustard greens typically leave ragged, torn leaves, unlike the cleaner, more precise cuts from smaller herbivores (rabbits or rodents). They often browse on upper portions, consuming significant sections or even entire plants.
Beyond damaged plants, other telltale signs confirm deer presence. Look for deer droppings, which are larger than rabbit droppings and resembling black marbles, often found near damaged plants. Tracks in the garden soil, characterized by distinct hoof prints, also indicate deer activity. Additionally, you might notice trampled plants in the vicinity, a result of deer moving through the garden.
Strategies for Protecting Mustard Greens
Protecting mustard greens from deer involves a multi-faceted approach, combining physical barriers, repellents, and strategic planting. Fencing is highly effective, but its height is important; deer can easily clear fences up to seven feet tall. An eight-foot fence is generally recommended, though angled or double-fence systems can also deter them by making it difficult for them to judge the jump.
Opaque fences, such as solid wood privacy fences, can be shorter because deer are reluctant to jump if they cannot see their landing spot. Various materials, including plastic mesh, metal wire, or electric fencing, can be used.
Deer repellents provide another layer of defense by making plants unappealing through taste or smell. Commercial sprays often contain natural ingredients like putrescent egg solids or garlic. Homemade solutions, such as mixtures of garlic, hot pepper, water, and dish soap, or egg and milk solutions, can also be effective.
Apply repellents to new growth and reapply them every 10 to 14 days, particularly after rain, to maintain their efficacy. Rotating different types of repellents can prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single formula. Scent-based deterrents, like hanging bars of soap or sachets of human hair, may also discourage deer.
Scare tactics can offer temporary relief. Devices like motion-activated sprinklers or shiny objects, such as reflective tape, can startle deer. However, deer are intelligent and can habituate to these methods over time, so they are best used in conjunction with other strategies.
Companion planting, while not a standalone solution, can contribute to deterrence. Deer tend to avoid plants with strong aromas. Integrating plants like marigolds, alliums (garlic, onions), rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, or yarrow around your mustard greens may help discourage deer due to their strong smells.