The presence of white-tailed deer and other browsing animals in suburban and rural areas creates a constant conflict for home gardeners. These animals view a cultivated garden as an easy source of food, leading to frustration and crop loss for the homeowner. The question of whether deer will eat a specific plant like kale is a common concern because this hardy green is often left in the ground well into the colder months. Understanding the conditions and nutritional factors that draw deer to your plants is the first step in protecting your harvest from local wildlife.
Kale’s Place in a Deer’s Diet
Deer generally find kale palatable, and it is a preferred food source under certain circumstances. While deer might choose more tender crops like lettuce or beans during the peak growing season, kale’s status changes dramatically in late autumn and winter. As a member of the brassica family, these cold-hardy crops provide valuable forage when other natural foods become scarce.
When the ground is covered in snow or natural browse is dormant, a kale patch becomes a high-value survival food. The plant’s ability to remain green and accessible throughout the cold season makes it a reliable target for a hungry deer seeking winter sustenance. The consumption pattern for kale is highly seasonal, shifting from a lower-preference item in summer to a preferred one when resources dwindle.
Factors Making Kale an Attractive Target
The primary reason deer are drawn to kale is its exceptional nutritional profile, particularly when preparing for or enduring winter. Kale leaves are packed with protein, with crude protein levels ranging between 15% and 25%, making it a highly digestible source of nitrogen. This high-protein intake is sought by deer to build up body condition before the breeding season and to maintain health through the lean winter months.
A specific chemical change in the plant further increases its appeal as temperatures drop. Kale, like other brassicas, converts its stored starches into sugars after a hard frost, which acts as a natural antifreeze. This process significantly sweetens the leaves, transforming a slightly bitter green into a more desirable and flavorful food. The broad, leafy structure of the plant also makes it easy for deer to consume quickly.
Proven Strategies for Garden Protection
Protecting kale from deer requires a combination of physical exclusion and sensory deterrents. The most reliable method is installing a physical barrier high enough to prevent deer from jumping over it. A fence should stand between seven and eight feet tall, as deer can easily clear a six-foot barrier, especially in an open area. Fencing material should be sturdy and have mesh openings small enough to prevent entanglement.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense by targeting the deer’s senses of taste or smell. Taste-based repellents, often containing ingredients like putrescent egg solids or capsaicin, are applied directly to the plant to make it unpalatable. Odor-based repellents use strong smells, such as predator urine or garlic, to discourage deer from entering the area. Consistent reapplication is necessary for effectiveness, typically every two to four weeks and especially after heavy rain, as deer quickly learn when a deterrent has lost its potency.
Motion-activated devices can also be used as a short-term deterrent to startle browsing deer. These systems, such as sprinklers or noise-makers, exploit the deer’s natural wariness. Deer may become habituated to a single scare tactic over time, so mixing up the type and location of these devices is important to maintain their effectiveness. A multi-pronged approach combining a tall fence with a rotating schedule of sensory repellents offers the best chance of safeguarding your kale.