How can I deter deer?

Red deer are the largest land mammals in Britain and even their diminutive cousins, muntjac, make a substantial impression in a domestic garden. They may be beautiful to watch as they gracefully pace, but deer can wreak havoc on garden plants, stripping flowers and foliage and damaging tree bark.

To keep all species out completely, you need a 1.8m high fence with partially buried posts and a self-closing gate to let out any that do get in. But if you just want to control their behaviour while they’re in your garden, grow the plants they’re less fond of and place guards around trees and shrubs. Chemical repellents have mixed reviews and may just divert them to other plants, but the scent and sound of a dog in the garden may scare them away. Also try growing plants they like, such as rosebay willowherb, dandelions and brambles, to distract them from your ornamentals. As to plants they’re unlikely to nibble, see the link below for a long list, including hellebores, rhubarb and common jasmine.

Finally, it’s worth learning about deer behaviour too. For example, they mostly feed between dawn and dusk, like new plantings, and are unlikely to approach your home except in times of scarcity.