Do deer eat pansies?

Do deer eat pansies? You may have questions like this, especially when you want to take precautions against deer nuisance in your garden. In this article, we will talk about how to prevent deer from eating them.

Pansies are popular plants for several reasons. They are gorgeous, easy to grow, and maintain. They come in vibrant colors and can deliver a lovely aroma to your environs. They also have edible blooms that are used in salads and a significant number of side dishes. Suppose you have deer in your area. In that case, it is excellent to ask – do deer eat pansies? Gaining knowledge about deer feeding habits, particularly concerning pansies, can help you determine how to safeguard your pansies.

Deer and Pansies

As humans, we love pansies, but the sad truth is that deer do too. They are a favorite dinner delicacy for them. If you also consider the fact that deer can eat as much as 10 pounds of food in a single day, then you realize how much havoc they can cause to your pansies. Pansies are most vulnerable during spring when their young tender buds begin to pop out. Deer are notorious for eating young tender shoots, so you must never allow them to get too close.

Nevertheless, do bear in mind that there are diverse pansy varieties, which means that the deer in your area may not favor yours as much as your neighbors. However, you cannot consider this as a reason not to protect your pansies from deer. They are quite known to adapt their palate after only a few bites. Therefore, you must consider keeping them away from your pansies before they become a horrifying issue for you.

Safeguarding your pansies

One of the best ways to protect your pansies from deer is an 8-foot fence. Chicken wire can equally do the trick, although you have to be creative. You can also opt for a 5-6 foot parallel fence with an inch or two between them. Alternatively, you can consider a sound or visual scare tactics, but this only works for a very short time. Commercial repellents are equally excellent. However, you have to ensure that you alternate between at least two to prevent them from ever sampling your pansies.

Deer-resistant plants

There are plants deer may not prefer to eat. Many of these plants have a sharp or tangy smell and are usually laden with prickles, thorns, and needles. Some include foxgloves, boxwoods, bearded irises, lavender, and juniper, alongside toxic plants like rhubarb.

Concluding thoughts

Do deer eat pansies? Absolutely, and these can be heart-wrenching for you. Luckily you don’t have to get rid of your pansies. All you need do is combine the different methods for deterring deer and use them. Fencing is one of the most effective and should be your number one priority. However, you also need repellents and other methods to make sure you adequately deer-proof your garden.

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