Herbs For A Deer-Proof Garden

Save your precious fenced-in garden space for the herbs more vulnerable to critter damage. This collection of herbs for a deer-proof garden serves as both edible and ornamental and they’re perennial. Plant them once and they’ll regrow year after year. Perfect if you’re slowing getting rid of your grass lawn and planting things with a purpose.

1. Thyme

I have two varieties of flowering thyme planted in my garden and they bloom at different times. One with a slightly pink flower and the other white. Thyme is an easy herb to dry for spice, but it’s also heavenly to brush against on the walkway to the garage. Thyme will spread and is perfect as a border plant.

2. Lavender

What smells amazing to us must not be the same for our white-tailed friends. I love that lavender serves multiple purposes in the garden. It’s beautiful, hardy, easy to maintain and the flowers can be harvested and dried for your luxurious epsom salt baths, among many other things. They’re easy to propagate, which saves lots of money on new plants. I recommend the “Provence” variety for shape and color.

3. Sage

Another beautiful edible/ornamental that the deer won’t touch. Sage tends to get bullied by other plants that are too close, and doesn’t do a great job of standing up for itself. Give sage a good amount of room to grow and you won’t have the bottom leaves browning and falling off as much.

4. Oregano

If sage gets bullied in the garden, oregano is the one doing the bullying. Oregano is in the mint family and will spread aggressively. Plant oregano once and you’ll have oregano spice for the rest of your life! This plant thrives in all types of soil so it’s a good option for an area with poor soil. Flowering begins in May and can look a little burnt by late summer. Chop back the flower stalks for a cleaner looking garden.

5. Chives

One of the first welcome signs of spring are the chives sprouting from the ground. After a long winter of craving something green, chives provide for your morning omelette. Divide chives by the root and replant as needed. They’re quick growing and thrive in all kinds of soils. The purple flowers are divine sprinkled on salads.

6. Yarrow

Yarrow comes in a wide array of long-blooming colors and is a hardy perennial. A max height of about 2 feet tall, it’s nice to accompany border plantings. Leave the flower heads at the end of the season for some winter interest (for you and the birds).

We hope you plant and enjoy some of these herbs for a deer proof garden. Please let me know what you think!
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