Living in Harmony With Deer

Deer fill an important role as brush-cutters in the environment. They help clear the woodland floor of choking cover so new trees can grow. They also reduce undergrowth that provides tinder for wildfires.

The positives for your residential garden are numerous. Deer do a good job of nibbling off sucker growth which shoot up from tree bases and stumps. Their droppings enrich the soil and their browsing can dead head your flowers causing them to produce more flowers. They periodically mow down the volunteer grasses which lessen your need for weed-whacking.

Is there anything more peaceful than observing a deer resting peacefully under a large oak tree? Take some time from your busy schedule and enjoy such a special moment with nature!

Below are listings of sensible plants and repellents that can assist your gardening efforts in deer country.

Homemade Deer Brew

2 old eggs mixed with ½ cup water

2 tbsp. Tabasco or chili pepper

2 cups water

Blend egg and water mixture for 2-3 minutes on high speed. Blend in remaining ingredients and apply with a sprayer. Refrigerate unused portion.

Hanging Bars of Soap

All soaps work equally well, even unscented. Leave the wrappers on so the soap doesn’t melt and attract rodents. Make this an art project and create your own wrappers! Drill holes through the bars and hang them on a tree spaced no more than 3 feet apart, up to a height of six feet.

Human Hair

Put one or two fistfuls of human hair in a length of nylon stocking or mesh. (Freshly washed hair won’t work as well) Space the bags no more than 3 feet apart and replace hair a few times each season. (Your local salon will be happy to provide you with the hair you need)

Other Deterrents

Hanging tinfoil, cans and scarecrows can be effective for a short term use, but deer learn quickly and my return after the initial shock wears off. There is also a product sold at nurseries that comes in a spray bottle which contains mountain lion urine. This works well in areas that have drip systems versus Rain bird systems

Deer-Resistant Plants

Alyssum

Astilbe

Ceanothus

Phelps

Common Lilac

Cotoneaster Lacteus

Darwin barberry

Flowering crab tree

Forsythia

French lavender

Huckleberry

Forget-me-nots

Foxglove

Impatiens oliveri

Monkshood

Oriental poppy

Penstemon

Peony

Ferns

Salvia

Scented geranium

Thyme

Toadflax

Zinnia

Blue hibiscus

Buddleia

Rhododendron

Rockrose

Rosemary

Solanum

Spruce

Tagetes lemmonil

Toyon berry

Wilson Holly

Dutch iris

Juniper

Lantana

Montevidensis

Lavender

Leucothoe

Mexican bush sage

Epimedium

Rose campion

Olive

Rosemary

Snapdragon

Tulip

Potentilla

Purple hop bush

Bearded Iris

Bleeding heart

Blue marguerite

California poppy

Coreopsis

Daffodils

Dame’s rocket

Delphinium

Italian stone pine

Aloe

Artichoke

Bamboo

Dead nettle

Dill

English Ivy

Rock cress

Lamb’s ears

Mint

Shasta daisy

Tansy

Yarrow

Favorite Deer Muchies

Anemone

Hydrangea

Periwinkle

Crucifers

Tomato

Violets

Hosta

Chrysanthemum

Crabapple

Stock

English Ivy

Geum

Candytuft

Coral bells

Roses

Daylily

Gardenia

Wallflower

24 Hour Hotline
(530) 889-5822

PO Box 1699
Loomis, Ca. 95650

Please Note: Our license requires that our rescue facility is not open to the public since our goal is to rehabilitate the fawns and release them to the wild with as little human contact as possible.

Please use our PO Box above when sending donations or correspondence, thank you!

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