The Deer Resistant Food Garden
A Guide to Vegetables, Fruit, and Herbs Deer Don’t Like
Unless you build a tall fence, the best way to minimize deer damage in a vegetable garden is to grow plants deer don’t like to eat. This year, try planting from our list of deer-resistant fruit, herb, and vegetable plants below.
When wild food sources are low, deer will munch on most anything. However, some garden fare is less attractive to these browsers than others. Deer usually avoid root vegetables (which they have to dig up), and prickly vegetables such as cucumbers and squashes with hairy leaves. Sharply-odoured plants like onions, garlic and fennel are not palatable to deer. Similarly, strongly-scented marigolds and herbs like mint, sage, or dill can direct deer away from favoured edibles. Certain plants, such as rhubarb, are toxic to deer.
The following is a general guide to deer resistant garden plants. Hungry deer are unpredictable and in times of wild food scarcity or high deer density may sample even the most “deer resistant” vegetables, herbs, and fruit!
Deer Resistant Garden Plants
Except in areas of high deer pressure, deer usually bypass these garden vegetables and herbs:
An eggplant thrives next to deer-damaged broccoli.
Asparagus
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Globe Artichokes
Ground Cherries
Horseradish
Leeks
Peppers
Rhubarb
Onions
Tomatillos
Turnips
Strong-scented mint is a good deer deterrent.
Borage
Chamomile
Chives
Comfrey
Dill
Garlic Chives
Hyssop
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Marjoram
Mint
Mullein
Oregano
Rosemary
Sage
Savoury
Tarragon
Thyme
Moderately Deer-Resistant
These plants are safe in areas of low deer pressure, however, deer may turn to this group of edibles when favourites are not available. Take care to protect the young shoots, which are always tender and delicious to browsing deer!
Rainbow chard with deer damage. Chard is most vulnerable to browsing deer in the spring and fall when other food is not available.
Arugula
Beets (especially beet tops)
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chard
Corn
Edible Figs
Kale
Melons
Mizuna
Mustard Greens
Okra
Parsnips
Potatoes (leaves and flowers)
Rutabagas
Basil
Summer Squash
Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes)
Tomatoes
Winter Squash
Basil
Cilantro
Parsley
Deer Favourites
Deer love to munch on peas and beans. The also enjoy tree fruit and most berries. These plants are strong attractors for deer:
Deer love to dine on pea shoots like these.
Apples
Beans
Berries (most kinds)
Grapes
Kiwi Fruit
Lettuce & Leafy Greens
Pears
Peas
Plums
Strawberries
More about gardening:
Deer Resistant Plants That Attract Pollinators
10 Tips for Year-Round Vegetable Gardens
I couldn’t believe that a deer was eating my Rhubarb leaves and all.
PS I forgot to check the gates after my gardener’s left.
very useful collection of information to manage Deer issues! To plant what they do not like.
Thanks
Companion gardening I did in wild West Van, Kitsilano, James Bay (Victoria) helps – Stinky Geranium, Allium, and Fennel deterred deer ravaging berries, peach, and pear trees. Thanks for your great list.