Protecting a garden from deer is a constant concern for gardeners. Understanding deer preferences, especially regarding common garden plants like celery, and effective deterrence methods helps maintain a vibrant garden.
Deer and Celery: The Verdict
Deer eat celery, including both stalks and leaves, though it is not a top-tier food choice. While they may consume entire plants, deer often prefer the tender leaves over fibrous stalks. Celery provides hydration and nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, making it a suitable food source in moderation. However, it is relatively low in other essential nutrients, meaning it cannot sustain a deer’s diet alone.
Factors Influencing Deer Foraging
Several factors influence whether deer forage on celery. As opportunistic feeders, their dietary choices depend heavily on the availability of other food sources. If more palatable or nutritious options are scarce, especially in leaner seasons like winter, deer are more likely to consume less preferred plants like celery. Celery’s high water content offers hydration, but deer require a broader range of foods for their full nutritional needs.
Plant taste and texture also play a role. While some find celery’s mild flavor appealing, its strong aroma and fibrous texture can deter them. Deer typically avoid plants with strong scents, bitter tastes, or fuzzy textures. High local deer populations can also increase foraging pressure, driving them to eat plants they might otherwise ignore.
Protecting Your Garden from Deer
Protecting a garden from deer involves a combination of strategies. Physical barriers, such as fencing, are often the most effective. Fences should stand at least 7 to 8 feet tall, as deer are capable jumpers. Opaque fencing can be more effective by preventing them from seeing what lies on the other side. Burying the fence bottom 6 to 12 inches deep deters deer from pushing underneath.
Repellents offer another layer of protection, working through scent or taste to discourage deer. Commercial options, such as Liquid Fence or Bobbex, use ingredients like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or botanical oils to create an unpleasant experience for deer. Homemade solutions, including hot pepper or rotten egg sprays, can also be used. For sustained effectiveness, rotate different repellents and reapply them regularly, especially after rain or on new plant growth. Scare tactics, like motion-activated sprinklers or noisemakers, can startle and deter deer, though these methods often require rotation to prevent deer from becoming accustomed.
Common Deer Attractants and Resistant Plants
Understanding deer plant preferences aids garden planning. Deer are attracted to plants with tender foliage, high moisture, and good nutritional value. Common garden favorites include hostas, daylilies, impatiens, pansies, roses, and fruit trees like apples and pears. Many vegetables such as beans, peas, corn, lettuce, and brassicas are also appealing.
Conversely, some plants are less appealing due to strong scents, fuzzy or tough textures, or natural toxicity. Integrating deer-resistant plants helps deter browsing. Examples include lavender, marigolds, daffodils, salvia, catmint, boxwood, and herbs like mint, rosemary, and oregano. While no plant is entirely “deer-proof,” incorporating less palatable species makes a garden less inviting to hungry deer.