Roe and muntjac will nibble their way through almost everything, particularly young plants or new shoots
There are several species of deer in the UK but the most common – and damaging to gardens – are roe and muntjac. They can be particularly problematic near rural woodland, but with an estimated two million deer in the UK, urban gardeners can’t afford to rest on their laurels: they’re in cities, too. Mosquito Mesh Stainless Steel
Deer tend to feed at night or early in the morning when it is quiet and will nibble their way through almost everything, particularly young plants or new shoots. I recently planted a large area of dogwoods and willows at West Dean, which is constantly nibbled by a resident deer – this is all the more frustrating because the plants are so young and trying to establish.
The recent dry conditions have made it challenging for animals to find food, so my prized shrubs are up against it. Tree bark can also be damaged through the rubbing of antlers which can cause issues – so stay vigilant.
Fencing is the best prevention for deer, but it is also the most expensive. Although hedges can be a barrier, more often than not deer will find a way through. Deer fencing should be 2m (6ft) high and well pinned at the base to prevent them from pushing underneath. Gates should also be around 2m high. The gauge of the wire should be no bigger than 7.5cm; muntjac deer can become trapped by larger gauges as they try to push their heads through. Electric fences are often inadequate as deer can run through them.
To protect individual trees, place guards around them: four posts with chicken wire around the tree will prevent grazing; 1.2-1.5m high should be sufficient in most cases.
There are a number of scented liquid deer repellents on the market, but these are less effective after rain and only deter the deer from the sprayed area, which needs repeated applications to work well. I am trialling some solar-powered deer deterrents, which are motion-activated and emit sound and flashing lights when triggered – I’ll let you know how I get on.
Several varieties of plants are, in fact, less appealing to deer, too. So, if fencing is not practical, try growing agapanthus, buddleia, foxgloves, hydrangea, lavender, magnolia, catmint, lupins, daffodils or sage.
Farm Boundary Fencing This article is kept updated with the latest information.