Deer readily eat collard greens, a fact quickly discovered by gardeners who find their rows of leafy brassicas suddenly decimated. Collard greens, like other members of the Brassica family, are highly palatable to deer. The vulnerability of these garden plants is due to their appealing physical structure and proximity to natural habitats. Once deer establish a feeding pattern, they will return repeatedly until the food source is exhausted, requiring gardeners to adopt protective measures.
Why Collard Greens Appeal to Deer
The primary attraction of collard greens for deer lies in their favorable nutritional profile, which offers a high-quality forage option. As a member of the brassica group, collards contain significant levels of protein and moisture, making them particularly tempting when other natural food sources are less abundant. This nutritional density is especially valuable during late fall and winter when native browse may be dry, woody, or covered in snow.
The large, tender leaves of the collard plant offer a high biomass of easily digestible material. This maximizes the energy gained per bite, making them a reliable and concentrated food source. Collards are frequently included in specialized food plots planted specifically to attract and sustain deer populations. Their ability to produce high tonnage of forage and remain available well into the cooler months is highly attractive to selective herbivores.
Identifying Signs of Deer Feeding
Gardeners can identify the culprit by examining the damaged leaves and stems. Deer do not possess upper incisor teeth; instead, they have a hard dental pad against which their lower incisors press. When feeding, a deer must bite down and then jerk or tear the plant material to break it off.
This feeding method leaves a distinctive ragged, torn, and uneven edge on the remaining stems and leaves. In contrast, smaller mammals like rabbits have sharp incisors that create a clean, angled, and precise cut, similar to a pair of shears. The height of the damage is also an indicator, ranging from ground level up to six feet high on a mature plant, a height unreachable by most smaller garden pests.
Strategies for Protecting Your Collards
Protecting collard greens requires combining physical exclusion with sensory deterrents. The most reliable method is a physical barrier, such as fencing, which must be tall enough to prevent deer from jumping over it. For comprehensive protection, a fence height of at least 7.5 to 8 feet is recommended to exclude white-tailed deer.
Alternatively, gardeners can use angled fencing or double-fence systems, which can sometimes be effective at a slightly lower height by confusing the deer’s depth perception. Where permanent fencing is impractical, chemical and sensory repellents can be applied directly to the plants. These typically contain unpleasant odors or tastes, often utilizing putrefied egg solids, blood meal, or strong soap scents.
For chemical deterrents to remain effective, they must be reapplied regularly, especially after heavy rain. Their type should also be rotated every few weeks, as deer quickly become habituated to a single scent or taste. Switching between a scent-based repellent and a taste-based repellent prevents them from growing accustomed to the defense. Installing a temporary perimeter of netting or plastic mesh can provide a lower-cost, localized barrier for small plots, but it still needs sufficient height to deter browsing.