Mustard greens, a cool-season leafy vegetable, are a common sight in home gardens, but they frequently become a target for local deer populations. These plants are a highly palatable food source, and their consumption can quickly turn a promising harvest into a stripped bed of stems. Protecting the crop requires understanding what attracts the animals and implementing a proactive strategy to deter them. A combination of physical defenses and sensory deterrents can effectively safeguard your vegetables.
Understanding Why Deer Target Mustard Greens
Deer are generalist herbivores, and their diet is determined by the availability and nutritional content of forage. Mustard greens, particularly the young, tender leaves, offer high moisture and nutrient density. The water content is important for deer, especially during dry periods or when free water sources are scarce.
The initial growth stages are the most vulnerable because the leaves are soft and less bitter. As the plant matures, it develops a pungent, peppery flavor due to compounds called glucosinolates, which makes it less appealing. Young mustard greens also offer a dense source of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus, which contribute to the animal’s overall health.
Implementing Physical Barriers for Crop Protection
Physical exclusion is the most reliable method for protecting a garden from deer browsing. The primary physical barrier is a vertical fence, which must account for the deer’s impressive jumping ability. A standard perimeter fence needs to be at least eight feet high to prevent most white-tailed deer from clearing it.
In areas with lower deer pressure or where an eight-foot fence is impractical, a seven-foot barrier combined with a sturdy mesh material may offer adequate protection. For small garden enclosures, a five-to-six-foot fence can sometimes suffice because the enclosed area is too small for a deer to feel comfortable landing inside after a jump. Another effective strategy involves installing a double fence, where two parallel fences are placed four to five feet apart, with each standing at a height of four to six feet. This configuration creates an optical illusion and a perceived barrier that discourages a deer from attempting the jump.
For individual garden beds or smaller patches, protective netting or cages can be used. These barriers, constructed using cattle panels or wire mesh, provide a psychological deterrent by making the feeding area seem too small and risky for fast entry and exit. Row covers, supported by hoops to keep the material off the plants, also offer protection by obscuring the greens from the deer’s sight and access. The key to any physical barrier is proper tensioning and anchoring, ensuring there are no gaps at the bottom where an animal could crawl underneath.
Utilizing Repellents and Cultural Deterrents
Repellents work by targeting the deer’s strong sense of smell and taste. Scent-based repellents often contain ingredients like garlic, rotten eggs, or predator urine, aiming to deter the deer before they take a bite. A simple and effective homemade solution is a spray mixture of eggs and water, which leaves a foul odor that deer tend to avoid.
Taste-based repellents typically incorporate capsaicin or certain oils, requiring the deer to sample the treated plant before being deterred by the unpleasant flavor. When using any repellent on food crops, read the label to ensure it is approved for edible plants and to understand the necessary waiting period before harvest. Because deer can quickly become accustomed to a single deterrent, rotate the type of repellent used every few weeks to maintain effectiveness.
Other cultural deterrents rely on startling the animal. Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers or noise makers, trigger a sudden sensory stimulus when a deer enters the area, causing them to flee. Strong-smelling herbs, like mint, rosemary, or lavender, can also be planted around the perimeter of the mustard greens. These pungent companion plants help mask the appealing scent of the greens, making the garden less attractive as a food source.