Protect Your Hostas From Deer With These Must-Try Tricks

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You finally did it: Your shade garden is a masterpiece. Lime-green hostas (Hosta spp) with creamy white stripes mingle with soft, smoky blues. The bold leaves of these shade-loving perennials brighten your garden and layer beautifully beneath the delicate foliage of coral bells, creating a lush tapestry only filtered sunlight could nurture. Even if you're a beginning gardener, this fuss-free plant makes you feel like a pro. But just as you settle in to admire your hard work, you spot it: one hosta, chewed down to a nub. Was it just one  meandering deer or was it the scout, alerting the herd that dinner is served? Suddenly, your peaceful backyard feels like a buffet line for four-legged freeloaders. But don't give up yet: There are ways to keep your garden intact — and your hostas whole — without sacrificing your love of wildlife or resorting to drastic measures.

To deer, your hostas might as well be a five-star salad bar. Their easy access and tender, moisture-rich leaves make them one of the most appealing plants on the menu. Even the shaded area these plants love make your garden feel safe woodsy and inviting. And once deer find a reliable food source, they tend to return with friends. So that one bare spot in the back of your garden might be the first of many if you don't intervene. Luckily, just because deer love hostas doesn't mean you have to surrender yours. From upgrading your barriers, to motion-activated sprinklers and homemade sprays, you have plenty of safe tricks available to deter hungry deer.

A barrier is a good first line of defense. Even a simple fence upgrade can slow deer down and protect your plants. But if they're already regulars in your yard, you'll need something taller — up to 8 feet — to keep them out. To save money and preserve your garden's look, try low fencing or netting around just the hostas. Look for thin wire fencing that blends in with the landscape and doesn't compete with the beauty of your plants. It may not stop every curious visitor, but it's a start.

If fencing feels too intrusive, there are other ways to gently nudge deer toward a different dinner plan. Motion-activated sprinklers are a surprisingly effective deterrent. The sudden burst of water and sound is usually enough to spook them. (Just remember to turn them off before you step out into the garden unless you want a surprise shower.) 

Non-chemical sprays can also work well. A homemade mix of cayenne pepper, dish soap, and water can make hosta leaves less appealing without harming your plants. You can also find ready-made deer repellents containing capsaicin or hot pepper at garden centers, or consider a product like Deer Out deer repellent. It's designed to be rain-resistant, and smells good to us but offensive to deer. Like most things in gardening, sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find which tricks work with your particular antlered grazers. With a little persistence, you'll find a balance that keeps your hostas happy and your garden off the menu.