Deer frequently visit gardens, often leaving nibbled plants. Gardeners may wonder if potato crops are safe. This article explores whether deer eat potatoes and offers methods to protect your garden.
Do Deer Eat Potatoes?
Deer do consume potatoes, including both the leafy green foliage and the underground tubers, particularly when other food sources are limited. While deer generally prefer more readily available forage, hunger often overrides these preferences. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat young potato shoots if alternative food is scarce. Deer can also dig for the tubers, especially during periods of food scarcity like late winter or droughts. Sweet potato vines, in particular, are a preferred target for deer.
Nutritional Considerations for Deer
While deer can eat potatoes, these are not an ideal or natural food source for them. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, and large quantities can lead to digestive issues for deer, as their systems are not designed to process significant amounts of starchy food. The potato plant’s foliage, stems, and green parts of the tubers contain glycoalkaloids, such as solanine, a natural defense mechanism against insects and herbivores. These compounds can be bitter and are toxic to many animals, including deer, in substantial amounts.
Keeping Deer Away from Potatoes
Protecting potato crops from deer often requires a multi-pronged approach. Installing physical barriers like fencing is among the most effective methods. A sturdy fence at least 7 to 8 feet tall is recommended to deter deer from jumping over it. For smaller garden plots, consider enclosing the area with netting or a shorter fence reinforced with deer netting.
Repellents can also be employed, utilizing strong odors or tastes that deer find unpleasant. Commercial repellents often contain ingredients like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or mint, which can be sprayed directly onto plants. Some homemade solutions include mixtures of hot pepper, garlic, or even soap. It is often necessary to rotate different types of repellents to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single one.
Companion planting involves placing certain plants near potatoes that deer tend to avoid, such as marigolds, which have a pungent aroma. Other plants with strong scents like chives, garlic, lavender, or sage may also deter deer. While companion planting can contribute to a less attractive environment for deer, it generally offers limited effectiveness against highly determined deer, especially when food is scarce.