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Author Topic: What do deer eat and don't eat?  (Read 40600 times)

Offline BjornBee

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What do deer eat and don't eat?
« on: March 29, 2009, 08:20:05 pm »
I have a garden at the house that is convenient. I usually plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, and strawberries. Of course the deer rip out the strawberries when they can.

I have a fenced area at the farm, where I can expand the garden. So I was thinking of planting those item the deer will not eat here, and move those items on the list that deer do eat to the farm.

From the following, what will deer eat?

Tomatoes
Peppers
Horseradish
Blueberries
Asparagus
Watermelon
Pumpkin
Cucumber
Onion
Rhubarb

Thank you.
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2009, 08:23:26 pm »
i have all that stuff and the dear don't bother any of it.  they eat the shoot off the berries, then eat the berries as they ripen.  they eat the new growth on the fruit trees, then the fruit.  i had one that tried the tomatoes, but didn't like them.  sometimes they chew the kiwi a bit, but not much and they don't harm the corn.

i have more trouble with rabbits.
Someone really ought to tell them that the world of Ayn Rand?s novel was not meant to be aspirational.

Offline doak

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2009, 08:58:59 pm »
all peas and beans
collards
okra
peaches
apples
pears
hos ta
Japanese magnolia
azaleas

They do not eat 6 foot tall electric fences. :roll:doak

Offline JP

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2009, 09:08:21 pm »
I'd imagine if food was scarce they'd eat just about anything. I've seen deer down in Venice, Louisiana survive off of weeds.

Kathy, better keep an eye on the corn.


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Offline eri

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2009, 09:18:41 pm »
A better question would be, "What do deer not eat?" They will eat tomato plants; they destroyed my son's patch last year, in town, jumping over a 6 foot wood fence. Doak has the best idea: a tall electric fence.

That said, here is one link. But best to check with your local ag agent, as the answer will be specific both to your geographic area and your locale (city, country, local deer population, proximity of garden to woods, presence of dogs, etc.). Knock on a wooden beehive, but the deer don't bother my gardens much. Still, I am going the solar electric fence route this year, mostly to keep the chickens out.

http://www.deer-departed.com/deer-resistant-vegetables.html

Good luck!


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Offline asprince

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2009, 10:30:33 pm »
As my watermelons were about ready to harvest, something busted every one and ate the center. I blamed it on the deer. They will always eat my peas, but do not touch the butter beans.

Steve
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Offline eri

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2009, 10:36:47 pm »
They will always eat my peas, but do not touch the butter beans.

That lyric is worthy of a country music song  :-\
On Pleasure
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And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy.
People of Orphalese, be in your pleasures like the flowers and the bees.

Offline BjornBee

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2009, 11:23:43 pm »
They will always eat my peas, but do not touch the butter beans.

That lyric is worthy of a country music song  :-\

Thank you for the website.

I've heard deer will not bother tomatoes, but last year they nibbled anything outside the cages.

As for watermelon or young green pumpkins, I have had problems with groundhogs.
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Offline Keith13

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2009, 08:20:28 am »
As my watermelons were about ready to harvest, something busted every one and ate the center. I blamed it on the deer. They will always eat my peas, but do not touch the butter beans.

Steve

believe it or not coyotes will do that to watermelons

Keith

Offline Cockatoo

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2009, 09:32:29 am »
Squirrels.
Yes I said squirrels.
There's nothing more surprising than watching a doe chase a squirrel and eat it.  :shock:
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Offline JP

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2009, 09:47:44 am »
Squirrels.
Yes I said squirrels.
There's nothing more surprising than watching a doe chase a squirrel and eat it.  :shock:

No offense but I would have to see that for myself to believe it and even then, I would think I was most likely hallucinating.


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Offline eri

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2009, 10:26:29 am »
Deer will eat nestlings. And eggs.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/news/press/ontape.htm
On Pleasure
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2009, 11:23:25 am »
yes, the squirrels are a pain!  they go around dropping the fruit off the trees.  then the squirrels and deer come around and eat it.

i know the deer will eat all the stuff i plant.  they just don't for some reason.

the other things the deer really like is the apples that drop in september and october.  i'll have herds of them under the trees eating the dropped apples.

Someone really ought to tell them that the world of Ayn Rand?s novel was not meant to be aspirational.

Offline Scadsobees

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2009, 02:09:41 pm »
Squirrels.
Yes I said squirrels.
There's nothing more surprising than watching a doe chase a squirrel and eat it.  :shock:

What's even more surprising is walking through the woods and stumbling on a clearing where 3 bucks are sitting around a campfire roasting a coyote over a campfire!!  :lau:

Sorry, I really do believe you I just must...stop...stupid imagination...from running...away..from...me....again....
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Offline Mairzy_doats

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2009, 03:01:53 pm »
They cleared out my tomatoes last year. Every single one. They took down some of my corn (with help from the coons).
I'm putting up an electric fence this year-6 feet- and we'll see how that does. If they are still getting in there, well, I guess there's always the 410.....


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Offline doak

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #15 on: March 30, 2009, 04:01:28 pm »
Don't forget the coyotes, they love watermelons.
doak

Offline BjornBee

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #16 on: March 30, 2009, 06:12:29 pm »
Also,
Those lovable chipmunks will take a bird anytime they can.  ;)
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Offline doak

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2009, 07:46:09 pm »
Peter bunny isn't too bad here but they do learn to jump between the bottom and second wire.
If you are over populated with cotton tails, best put a 3 foot high, about 1 inch mesh, then go from there with electric fence. :roll: :)doak

Offline DayValleyDahlias

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #18 on: March 30, 2009, 08:39:04 pm »
The deer that live in my neck of the woods would eat everything you have on your list, and probably also the list.

They devoured 3 entire clemetine trees I had in my patio, they eat cymbidium orchid blooms, violets, pumpkins, they browse dahlias...they just eat it all... :-\

Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: What do deer eat and don't eat?
« Reply #19 on: March 30, 2009, 09:56:58 pm »
I'm building all my fences "goat proof", 6 feet tall using 2X4 welded wire.  Keeps out most things except snakes, mice, rats, weasels, and smaller lagomorphs like pikas.  the fence doesn't stop the deer but it does make them reconsider.
As far as keeping them out of the garden, it is supprizing how much of a "scarecrow" a small solar powered motion activated light makes.
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