My Cornflower Plant Is Being Eaten By the Deer

Deer become a problem in gardens when they eat or damage plants.

The cornflower is listed as a perennial of limited appeal to deer by the University of Nebraska. However, grazing deer can still damage it. The situation often occurs in rural or suburban settings where natural deer habitat is in close proximity to gardens and homes. Excluding the deer from the garden by fences or applying repellents are often the only options available to gardeners. Which method works best depends on the circumstances and how desensitized to human contact the deer have become.

Temporary Electric Fence

Electric fences are commonly built with two wires mounted on wood, metal or fiberglass posts enclosing the garden. The wires are attached to a fence charger that provides a line voltage strong enough to cause discomfort but not strong enough to harm the animal. The charger can be battery, solar or electrically powered. Hang aluminum foil from the wires to contact deer that have learned to crawl between or under the wires. The temporary fence can be taken down at the end of the growing season and stored until the next year.

Permanent Fences

Permanent fences are also electrified but are commonly built with more wires mounted to permanently installed wood or steel posts. String six wires spaced every 10 inches vertically. Connect every other wire to the positive side of the fence charger with the other wires connected to the negative terminal of the charger. Depending on snow conditions, the fence may require maintenance every spring.

Natural Repellents

Any scent that is unnatural to the surrounding may discourage deer. Some common repellents include soap; animal waste, particularly dog or cat waste; and human hair. Tie the items in a mesh bag and hang on posts or poles throughout the garden. Change the repellent if the deer become accustom to the scent and begin to ignore the effort.

Commercial Repellent

Many of the commercial repellents work on taste rather than the odor principle of the natural repellents. Spray the commercial repellents on the new growth of the garden according to manufacturer's instructions. Apply another coat of spray every month or when rain washes the repellent from the garden plants. The commercial repellents also are effective on rabbits and other wild animals that may feed on the garden.

References

• West Virginnia University: Deer Control in Home Gardens
• Blue Grass Gardens: Deer Control in the Garden
• University of Nebraska: Plants Deer Will Not Eat