deer

Herbs And Vegetables Deer Won’t Eat

I can picture it now. I wake up in the morning and go outside to water my garden only to find that large portions of it are destroyed and left behind are little piles of pellet-like poop. I know immediately: deer have been here. If you live in an area with lots of deer and an accessible yard, deer will likely pay you a visit. So when planning your garden, you should grow mostly fruits, herbs, and vegetables deer won’t eat.

Deer-proofing your yard is a good idea too. Deer are able to clear a six foot fence. Fences to keep deer out should be at least eight feet high. But constructing a fence that tall is an expensive endeavor. It may be cheaper to just plant vegetables that deer won’t eat.

The following is a list of vegetables deer generally don’t eat, might eat, and almost definitely will eat.

Read More: Herb Gardening For Beginners

Vegetables Deer Won’t Eat

If you want to grow a garden that won’t interest deer much at all, these are the herbs and vegetables you ought to grow.

What they might eat

Like people, deer can be picky eaters. They are known to eat the following plants, but also might not. You may need to experiment with planting these and, if your local deer destroy them, avoid planting them again.

  • Olives
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Chard
  • Kale
  • Melons
  • Cilantro
  • Okra
  • Basil
  • Borage
  • Horseradish

Vegetables Deer Will Eat

Finally, these are the vegetables dear will almost definitely eat when given the opportunity. If you live in an area with lots of deer, expect these plants to be munched on by deer.

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Carrot tops (thus destroying the carrot itself)
  • Peas
  • Lettuce
  • Pumpkins
  • Spinach
  • Berries
  • Corn
  • Apples

If you’re unsure of what local deer will or won’t eat, you can consult local gardening groups for further advice.

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Cody Medina
Small Scale Farmer
Hi there! I'm Cody, a staff writer here at The Garden Magazine and a small-scale farmer living in Oregon. I've been gardening most of my life and now live on a quarter-acre farmstead with chickens, ducks, and a big garden.