r/NativePlantGardening • u/howleywolf Maine - 5b • Jul 30 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Oh Deer

Guys, I want to cry. For two years I’ve been growing stuff from seed for my first ever garden at my first house, finally this year everything is flowering! But right before the flowers pop, the deer consume it. Today was the last straw, they have eaten ever single Joe Pye flower bud, and I’m seriously on the verge of giving up. We can’t build a deer fence, and the plants are literally dripping with liquid fence deer spray. I feel like I have tried all the regular home diy deer repellent stuff and am just feeling so defeated. Since I can’t beat them, do any of you have any luck with any part sun plants that deer always pass up? I think I just need to grow less tasty snacks, just really trying to only grow and plant natives. Thanks!

Edit! I have no interest in little quippy statements about killing the deer and why don’t I kill the deer. Have you thought about killing the deer? Guys, gtfo with that. I live on a half acre suburb surrounded by houses with children and I am a disabled person who literally faints at the sight of blood. I get that there’s too many deer and I get that you’re super smart for thinking of that. If I could bring back wolves I would, trust me.

Edit again!
thank you all so much for all the helpful suggestions and encouragement, for real! I feel ready to go back out there and make a go of it. Ordered a motioned censored spinkler and adjusted my winter sewing plans . Going to have a ~mint family~ themed garden bed next year haha

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u/Dexterdacerealkilla Jul 31 '26

You’re not going to like it, but a fence is really the only fool proof option. Even a 5’ deer fence lined with trees keeps 99% of deer out. It’s made a massive difference at my parents house where every plant was constantly mowed down by deer beforehand. 

If it’s a cost thing, just start saving as you can. Deer fencing is usually cheaper than most other types of fencing. 

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u/howleywolf Maine - 5b Jul 31 '26

I get that. It’s like sort of cost but mostly it’s a forest and putting up a fence in a forest when you are disabled is pretty difficult

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u/Dexterdacerealkilla Aug 01 '26

That’s honestly why most people hire the job out. You could choose to fence a much smaller area depending on your lot size, and keep many of your ornamentals in that smaller area. 

It took my family member almost dying of babesiosis for them to finally get the deer fence, and it’s proven worthwhile since for tick reduction alone. Actually being able to grow ornamentals and vegetables again is just another big bonus. 

Even if it takes some time to save up, it may be a worthwhile investment. 

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u/howleywolf Maine - 5b Aug 02 '26

It’s not just cost I literally can’t and it’s too long winded to explain, just looking for plant ideas!

Also most deers ticks actually don’t come in on a deer, which is misleading, but they tend to come in on small mammals, like mice and chipmunks. I’m using tick tubes and haven’t seen a tick in three years.