Dahlias can be one of the notable summer plants because of their bright colours and beautiful blooms. Like other plants, gardeners often worry about deer eating these beloved summer plants and damaging their carefully tended landscape.
Although deer do not usually prefer dahlias, they are not completely deer-resistant either. This article explores a few simple and effective ways to protect dahlias from becoming deer food.
Do Deer Avoid Dahlias?
While deer may not be resistant to dahlias, they do often show disinterest in consuming dahlias. They have a peppery taste and scent, which deer are not particularly fond of. They often choose dahlias as their food choice if there is nothing else for them to eat, driven by hunger and urgency to find food. This makes dahlias one of the least favoured food choices among deer.
How to Protect Dahlias From Deer?
Here are a few important chemical, technological, and natural methods that can be used to keep deer away from dahlias and gardens in general.
Use Deer Repellent
Since dahlias are not completely deer resistant, relying on chemical repellents is better. They can deter deer from intruding on the landscape. Chemical repellents are a primary choice of many gardeners in keeping the deer away.
However, these repellents should be applied periodically, considering they can easily break down over time, diminishing their effects.
Use Ultrasonic Waves
In addition to chemical repellents, an effective technological method for deterring deer is the use of ultrasonic devices. These deer repellents have also been successfully used to keep birds and other small animals away.
Fencing as a Barrier
It is often noted that deer can jump as high as 12 feet; however, even an 8-foot fence is adequate to protect the garden from deer. An 8-foot plastic fence, along with 9-foot steel posts and outdoor UV-resistant zip ties, is an efficient measure to protect the garden.
This type of fence can be installed fairly quickly with the help of a post driver. It also provides reliable protection of dahlias and other garden plants.
Use Predator Scents
Other than fencing, gardeners also have the option of installing predator-scent repellents to deter deer. Things like coyote urine or long-lasting urine boxes often give the impression that a predator is present in the garden, thereby restricting the deer's entry to the garden.
Water Sprinklers
Motion sensor water sprinklers can also be effective in keeping deer away. A sudden burst of water can startle them and thereby keep them away from the lawn. However, a drawback of this measure is that gardeners may themselves get unexpectedly soaked while in the garden.
Human Hair as a Natural Deterrent
An unconventional but natural method for deterring deer is the use of unwashed human hair. Deer are instinctively cautious of human scent, and introducing it into the garden can act as a natural deterrent. All you have to do is place a handful of unwashed hair into a muslin bag and hang it from a bush or tree at the height of a deer’s head.
What to Do if Dahlias Are Eaten by Deer?
Avoid panicking if deer end up eating dahlias from your lawn. Any temporary damages that dahlias experience are part of their natural lifecycle because they are annual plants and can regrow naturally. In fact, deer feeding on dahlias might benefit gardeners in a way.
In some cases, deer nibble on flower buds, making the plant thin. This process can help maximise the use of energy, which results in fewer but stronger and healthier blooms.
In severe cases where deer may have completely damaged the dahlias, there is still hope. They grow from underground tubers, which means Dahlias can grow.
To preserve them, carefully dig up the tubers and trim away any attached plant material. After this, wash them thoroughly to remove soil and pests. Let the tubers dry completely in a cool and dark area to prevent mold or rot. When the next planting season arrives, these tubers can be replanted.
Conclusion
Dahlias are deer-resistant due to their natural scent. Gardeners can successfully grow Dahlias in areas with moderate deer populations without much hassle. However, if they are in significant numbers around the landscape, then the gardener might have to take additional protection measures.
