Deer will eat anything if they are starving, but planting a garden full of vegetables they don't like to eat puts you on the right track for avoiding damage. Even lining the outside of your garden with these can help keep the deer from entering the garden to eat other plants.
Deer resistant vegetables? A deer proof garden? Is it possible to have such a thing? If you want to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits anywhere except the most urban location, you will have to learn how to control deer. Deer management is multi-faceted and depending on the size of your garden, the type of food grown, type and number of deer in the area, and other variables, you will have to use at least one or two of these methods of control.
It is hard to find Deer Resistant Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs since they are a prize food source and full of the nutrients that deer need to be healthy. After the deer have gotten into your garden and tasted the feast you have prepared, it will be very hard to exclude them. Start with these deer resistant vegetables, and herbs and then you will have to decide on a strategy of fencing, repellent, or a scare device such as the water shooting Scarcrow. For fruit, you may have to consider an odor type repellent or temporary netting.
There are several vegetables that deer tend to avoid eating, these include:
- Alliums, such as onions, leeks, and garlic
- Arugula
- Asian greens, such as bok choy and tatsoi
- Beans, both pole and bush varieties
- Beets
- Chard
- Collards
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- Hot peppers
- Melons
- Okra
- Parsley
- Parsnips
- Peas, both snap and snow varieties
- Radicchio
- Radishes
- Rutabaga
- Sorrel
- Spinach
- Squash, both summer and winter varieties
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
It is worth noting that deer may still eat these vegetables if they are hungry enough or if other food sources are scarce. To prevent damage, it's best to implement a deer-proof barrier, such as a fence, around your garden.
Cucumbers have been shown to actually repel deer. Many people have sent messages saying they plant cucumbers where deer are most likely to come in. They plant them in pots and on trellises to keep them out of areas in lawns.
BOTANICAL NAME | COMMON NAME | TYPE | COMMENTS |
Allium schoenoprasum | Chives | Kitchen herb | Strong odor |
Allium | Onions | Vegetable | Strong odor |
Allium | Leeks | Vegetable | Strong odor |
Allium | Garlic | Vegetable | Strong odor |
Allium tuberosum | Garlic Chives | Vegetable | Strong odor |
Anethum graveolens | Dill | Herb | |
Arabis spp. | Rock Cress | Vegetable | |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Bearberry | Fruit | |
Artemesia absinthum | Artemesia | Herb | |
Artemesia dracunculus | Tarragon | Herb | Aromatic perennial |
Asimina triloba | Paw Paw | Fruit | Fruit jelly |
Asparagus officinalis | Asparagus | Vegetable | |
Borago officinalis | Borage | Herb | Cucumber odor |
Carum carvi | Caraway | Herb | Seeds used |
Coriandrum sativum | Chinese Parsley/Coriander | Herb | Leaves and seeds used |
Cucurbita spp. | Squash | Vegetable | |
Cynara scolymus | Globe artichoke | Vegetable | Sharp foliage |
Diospyros virginiana | Persimmon | Fruit | Edible fruit |
Ficus carica | Edible Fig | Fruit | Zones 6 -9 |
Foeniculum vulgare | Fennel | Herb | Anise flavor |
Helianthus tuberosus | Jerusalem Artichoke | Vegetable | Potato-like tubers |
Hyssopus officinalis | Hyssopus | Herb | |
Juglans nigra | Walnut | Nut | Protect when young |
Lavendula angustifolia | Lavender | Herb | Strong odor |
Matricaria spp. | Chamomile | Herb | |
Melissa officinalis | Lemon balm | Herb | |
Mentha spp. | Mint | Herb | |
Myrrhis odorata | Sweet Cicely | Herb | Anise smelling foliage |
Verbascum spp. | Mullein | Herb | |
Nepeta x faassenii | Catmint | Herb | |
Ocimum basilicum | Sweet Basil | Herb | Flavoring |
Opuntia spp. | Prickly Pear | Vegetable | Thorns |
Origanum pulchellum | Marjoram | Herb | Flavoring |
Origanum vulgare | Oregano | Herb | Flavoring |
Petroselinum crispum | Parsley | Herb | Garnish |
Phoenix dactylifera | Date Palm | Fruit | |
Punica granatum | Pomegranate | Fruit | Sour taste |
Rheum x cultorum | Rhubarb | Vegetable | Toxic leaves |
Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | Herb | |
Ruta graveolens | Rue | Herb | |
Salvia officinalis | Sage | Herb | |
Sambucus canadensis | Blueberry elder | Fruit | Used for jelly |
Sambucus racemosa | Red elderberry | Fruit | Used for jelly |
Satureja montana | Savory | Herb | |
Solanum tuberosum | Potato | Vegetable | Poisonous top |
Symphytum x rubrum | Comfrey | Herb | |
Tanacetum balsamita | Coriander | Herb | |
Tanacetum coccineum | Tansy | Herb | |
Tanacetum parthenium | Feverfew | Herb | |
Teucrium chamaedrys | Germander | Herb | |
Thymus spp. | Thyme | Herb | |
Tropaeolum spp. | Nasturtium | Flower | Edible annual |
Tulbaghia violacea | Society Garlic | Herb | |
Vaccinium spp. | Blueberries | Fruit | Watch for birds |
Vicia faba | Broad/Fafa beans | Vegetable |