Do Deer Eat Mums? 7 Proven Ways to Protect Your Fall Garden
What if I told you that 67% of gardeners lose their entire fall mum display to deer within the first two weeks of planting? You’re not alone—and here’s exactly how to break the cycle of disappointment while keeping your autumn garden thriving.
Chrysanthemums are also to be planted in the crisp autumn air. They make your garden a blend of gold, rust and burgundy. But deer are fond of mums and they all will eat. It is possible to save summer flowers, and impossible to save fall mums since they do not have enough time left in the season.
It is vital to know the reason why deer feed on mums and how to protect them. It is important not only to the few plants but also to your entire fall garden. The only distinction between an eye-catching yard and a messy and ruined one lies in the fact that the right protection at the right time can save the situation. We will examine what deer do and what keeps your mums safe.
Do Deer Really Eat Mums? The Uncomfortable Truth
The answer is yes. Deer eat mums and prefer them. Most gardeners believed that mums smelled bad and it would scare deer. That idea is wrong. Deer understand that mothers provide them with winter food. Gardening Know How
Scientists demonstrate that mums contain approximately 15 percent of sugar in flowers and leaves. Sugar provides fast energy to deer to keep them fat during winter. Mums contain minerals and protein as well that deer require in case food is scarce. Deer desire this food in autumn.
Fall mums are plants that grow when other plants are in death. Deer get sight of the bright mums and devour them when they are at their best. Summer plants have time to recover but autumn plants have no time to recover before winter.
Why Your Mums are First-rate Turkeys
Deer use habitual routes known as browse lines. When you have a yard on one of these tracks the deer will prefer it to a highway. On that way are your mums, and so the deer muss kep a peep at them.
When the number of deer around your house is large, they consume more vegetation. During bad winter or drought, the deer will consume areas that they would never pay attention to. They require the mums to survive.
The mums are sunny and smelling sweet. Deer prefer bright colors yellow, orange, red. The smell also attracts deer. When one deer attempts a mum, he will go back and fetch others.
Due to urban expansion, deer are brought nearer to the population. Food such as acorns and shrubs are not so much. Deer shall come into gardens to feed. Mothers are suitable when they find deer seeking food.
The Cost of Doing Nothing: What Deer Damage is
Deer consume 6-8 pounds of vegetation in a day. One night your entire mum show will be lost. In case a mum is a cost of $8 -15, a garden that is 100-300 is at stake. Over many years that adds up. Quality Deer Management Association
Early fall can be very damaging to the mums root and stem by deer. Before winter, new mums require 6-8 weeks of growth of the roots. You need to replace them and mend the soil in case they are eaten by deer early.
Mothers away mean that you miss the sight of your garden, and the opportunity of photographs and holidays. The disappointment in you might prevent your planting mums next year.
A great deal of mums are used on commercial lawns. They cost thousands. When they are eaten by the deer, the yard appears shabby and the value of the property declines. That will damage the business or render people dissatisfied.
Approach 1: How to Strategically Fence What Works
Long-term security is provided by using fences, but you have to construct them properly. Deer can hardly fit in most of the garden fences. Deer can leap an 8 foot fence and even more.
To prevent deer, make fences which leave no landing places. Fence 68 feet, and then a 34 feet fence, a few feet higher, and the deer will not see where to alight. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
The electric fences are able to startle the deer without injuring them. Less powerful chargers provide fast shocks. A ribbon or a tape fence would almost go unnoticed and yet it functions. The lowest wire should be kept 6-8 inches above the ground and further wires should be added at 2 feet and continued till 8 feet are reached.
Part of the season is used with temporary fences. Mesh deer fence with holes 1-2 inch in size and meanwhile tie the bottom to prevent the deer going under. It is low cost and it keeps birds and deer off. This is effective with elevated beds and receptacles.
Technique 2: Professional Repellent Systems
The commercial repellents are also convenient to use, and they perform well when instructions are adhered to. The types can make you select the best ones knowing what they are.
The plants are repulsive to consuming because of the presence of contact repellents. They plant bitter substances ensuring that the deer shun the plants. The taste stops them quickly.
The deer do not like the smell of area repellents. They apply egg powder, garlic anoint or predator urine. Good recipes are made with multiple smells to ensure that the deer do not get accustomed to it.
It is important when you apply repellents. Prefer before deer commence feeding. Use once a week, in a heavy deer season, or once in every fortnight where deer are not so active. Apply again after rain, dew or watering.
Such products as Liquid Fence, Deer Out and Bobbex are 85-90 percent effective.
Such products as Liquid Fence, Deer Out and Bobbex are 85-90 percent effective. They retain their power longer than homemade sprays. They are more expensive, but that save on the amount of reapplication required. University of Maryland Extension
Technology 3: Smart Protection based on Motion-Activated Technology
The movement of deer triggers motion sensors that send water. Deer are chased away by the water and the sound. Deer can be stopped by one or two sprays.
There are spray pattern learning and changing models. They are able to distinguish a small animal and a deer. All season running Solar powered models operate wirelessly. Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Install sensors 3-4 feet off the earth to prevent small animals. Roads, access driveways and natural roads. Habitat of multiple units overlapped to ensure that deer could not find safe places.
Battery life varies. Good units take a duration of 4-6 months on a single charge. The cheap units require batteries once a week. Select units with low battery notifications and timers.
Strategic Timing Method 4: Companion Planting
Other plants planted around mums would drive away deer. Plants that suck and taste or smell bad or feel awful and look good are all choices that suck up deer.
Lavender works well. The scent it has is quite strong and it has silver leaves that keep the deer away. Between mums and deer paths, plant 3-5 lavender plants. Lavender grows 2‑3 feet tall.
Deer and pests are also kept away by marigold. French marigolds are small and can be placed in the vicinity of mums.
Sulfur is released by chives, garlic and onions upon cutting. Deer do not enjoy the smell or the taste. Insert chives between mums or place heaps of garlic at edges. Home and Garden Education Center at UConn
Method 5: Home Made Solutions that really work
Homemade sprays will be inexpensive and even effective when combined appropriately. Use ingredients that provide numerous signals to deer.
Egg spray: 3 whole eggs combined with 1 gallon of water and one tablespoon of cooking oil. Strain and spray. It becomes strong over 24‑48 hours.
Pepper spray: 2 t. pepper flakes, 1 qt water, boil 15 min. Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap, cool, strain. Apply only in small amounts since it may be detrimental to the plants.
Garlic soap spray: put 1 garlic bulb and 2 cups water and strain and then add liquid soap 1 tablespoon. It is stinking and bitter in taste. Spray evenly on plants. The Spruce
Method 6: Knowledge of When and Why Deer Strike
Hunt in places where the deer have been. The deer possess forecastable peaks associated with food, mating and weather.
The worst time is in early fall (mid September to October). Deer eat more for winter. Guard early enough before Labor Day so they do not get used to it around your garden.
Natural food was cut by drought or early frost, so the deer go into the gardens. Check the local weather and take additional cover when there is a dearth of food.
Deer can be relocated into cities due to full moons and hunting season. Be warned about these periods, and more vigilant in case the deer may be more apt to come. Deer Association
Method 7: Other Plants Which Will be Fall Colored Without the Risk
Asters
You may either select mums that are left off by deer or you may use alternative plants that remain unaffected. They provide the appearance of a fall without any protection.
Asters are white, pink, purple, and blue and usually bloom up to October. They are sour and nothing is consumed by the deer. Asters are either tall of up to 6 feet or small to fit in containers. Rutgers NJAES
Goldenrod
Goldenrod provides a bright yellow color. Select varieties that do not move around as they tend to become scattered.
Sedum
Similar to Autumn Joy, sedum remain there through end of summer and winter. The foliage is thick and acrid. At the end of the fall they resemble purple-bronze blossoms.
Japanese Anemones
Japanese anemones have a height of 2-4 feet. They flower between August and October. Deer are not attracted by their fuzzy leaves and bitter taste. They propagate in semi-shadows and produce colonies after some time. Gardenia
Designing Your Customized Protection Plan
The ultimate deer protection employs a variety of tactics, which are appropriate to your case, your budget, and appearance you desire. Don’t rely on just one idea. Begin by counting the number of deer there are in the vicinity – a simple repellent will do with light issues, however, when there are many deer you will need a combination of fences, special plants and frequent inspections.
Consider your money across multiple seasons and not the initial price. It costs nothing to have a deer-out fence in place permanently, and therefore you do not pay twice, but damaging repellents need to be purchased continuously, and may cost more during the initial year of service. Also think about your time. Automatic sprinklers activated by the approach of a deer minimize work to be performed on a daily basis but maintain the protection high.
Keep a record of what works. Record the amount of plants eaten by deer by taking pictures of your plants each week. Record what prevents the deer most, and alter your plan as you observe the actions of the deer. This data can be helpful in the future planting and does indicate when supplementary or additional protection should be added or altered.
It is important to remember that it is a slow process that needs time to be able to manage the deer. Even the most successful systems can require 2-3 weeks to find out the fences by deer. Don’t stop using your ways. First failures need not discourage you, it is a long process to get deer to change their habits but the results will be worth it all the more when you find yourself enjoying healthy and untouched plants all fall.
Sources:
Gardening Know How – Do Deer Eat Mums
Rutgers NJAES – Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – Fencing to Exclude Deer
Quality Deer Management Association – What Do Deer Eat
University of Maryland Extension – Commercial Deer Repellents
Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Deer Deterrents
UConn Home and Garden Education Center – Deer Resistant Vegetables
