How to protect your garden from deer naturally

Three years ago, when I moved to Keene, my garden was closed by a thick hedge of blackberries. They were thorny, messy, and invasive. Two years after moving, I uprooted the blackberries. The garden felt exposed. My neighbors started sending pictures of deer in my garden at all hours of the day and night, and the damage to my plants was devastating. I was shocked. I moved from a farm where deer were a constant nuisance; I was not expecting deer in downtown Keene. I planted hawthorn, a non-invasive plant that can be a shrub or a tree depending on how you prune it. Hawthorn, like blackberries, belongs to the rose family. It has long, sharp thorns; beautiful white, pinkish flowers that bloom in spring; and bright red berries that are ripe in the fall. Hawthorn is considered a supreme cardiovascular tonic that protects the heart and arteries from inflammation. It is a herb worth having in your garden. Planting a prickly edge While I planted hawthorn in my garden for its medicinal uses, I later learned it has a long history of use as a hedge to mark and protect field boundaries in England and Ireland. Planting a hedge of hawthorn along the boundary of your garden might just do the trick. Deer repellent plants Planting plants deer find stinky can send them running, too. Some, like lily of the valley, have an intense fragrance and are toxic, which repels deer. Others, like lungwort, have a fine, hairy leaf texture that can irritate deer's mouths and digestive tracts. For a full list of plants that may help keep deer away from your garden, visit gardendesign.com/plants/deer-resistant-groundcover.html Stincky fence I knew a farmer who dipped a piece of cloth in ammonia and hung it around his fields to deter deer from coming close. Deer hate the smell of ammonia and urine. Using an old towel or shirt sprayed with these scents will send them on their way. Using low tunnels For short plants, you can create low tunnels covered with pest netting or fabrics. I covered all my leaf crops, arugula, spinach, kale, and such with a low tunnel. They are relatively inexpensive and can protect your vegetables not just from deer but also from other pests, such as tomato hornworms, squirrels, and chipmunks. Invisible fence Using clear nylon rope or even just a heavy-duty fishing line is a highly effective, budget-friendly DIY method for deer resistance. Deer have poor depth perception and cannot see the thin, clear line; they bump into it, get startled, and turn around to avoid the area. Motion activating devices Some people use motion activated lights or sprinklers to spook deer. I heard mixed results with this technique, as in some cases, deer learned to ignore these motion detectors. They are also more expensive than the other solutions. If you can't beat them, feed them Another strategy for preventing deer damage in your garden is a bit surprising. Instead of trying to repel deer, feed them. Red clover is a cover crop from the legume botanical family that is beneficial for women's reproductive hormones and skin conditions. As a legume, it also fixes nitrogen and increases soil fertility. You can dedicate a corner of the garden to red clover. Deer with a full stomach will not get near your precious plants. If you are like me, spending hours weeding, seeding, and growing a garden, or if you invest money in plants and seeds, you know the feeling of disappointment and frustration when you wake up in the morning to find your garden in shambles because you had visitors overnight. When you plan your garden, think beyond beauty and abundance of food, herbs, and flowers. Create a strategy to protect your garden from deer. The best results are achieved when you combine a couple of strategies at the same time.