Gardening is a wonderful way to spend your time, whether for relaxation or for harvesting your own fruits and veggies. Unfortunately, deer don’t appreciate the joys of gardening. Instead, they love nibbling on everything from delicate blooms to tasty vegetables. If you’re looking for ways to keep deer away from your garden and protect your hard work, try these tips.

How to Keep Deer Out of Your Gardening Area

1. Install Fencing

Deer can jump pretty high, over six feet in some cases, so make sure the fence is at least eight feet tall and that it is made of strong materials, such as metal or wire mesh. Be sure it is sturdy enough so that deer cannot push it down. Place fencing slightly away from your garden, using scent deterrents and other obstacles to enhance the effect.

2. Use Repellent Sprays

There are commercially available deer repellents available that are made of natural ingredients, like eggs, garlic and peppers, which deer don’t like. Spraying them onto plants in your garden can help keep these animals away and help protect them from being eaten. Be sure to use a spray specifically designed for deer, as other sprays used against rodents and pests will not work against them.

3. Motion-Activated Sprinklers

These handy gadgets can be used to deter deer from entering your garden. When a deer enters their range, the sprinklers will turn on and spray water at them, scaring them away. Try to point them towards pathways that the animals might be using to access your garden.

4. Plant Deer-Resistant Species

Some plants are more attractive to deer than others, so it’s worth doing some research to find out which they are less likely to eat. Planting these varieties in your garden can help make your gardening area less attractive for these big grazers. For example, deer tend to avoid garlic, onions and marigolds. Other crops they don't like include lavender, basil and thyme.

5. Create Barriers

If you have existing plants that attract deer, create physical barriers around them that blend in with your garden area and landscaping. This could include placing stakes along the perimeter of the plant, or surrounding it with shrubs, trees or rocks that will make access more difficult. You might also consider using netting or chicken wire as a further deterrent.

When your mind has turned towards gardening, visit Northgate Greenhouses in Cincinnati, OH. With 17 greenhouses filled with a huge array of annuals and perennials, they have all the flowers and plants you need, including hanging flowers, roses, tropical plants, and succulents. They are also the winners of the Perfect Bloom Award for Green Industries and the 2015 Cincinnati Flower Show Mayor's Award. Each of their greenhouses is open year-round. Call (513) 729-1134 if you have any questions or visit the website to learn more.