Blueberry Plants and Deer

Deter With Scent

• Sometimes it doesn't take much to keep deer away. For example, garlic is widely used to deter deer. Planting lots of garlic bulbs around your blueberries might do the trick, or you may need to look for a deer deterrent spray that carries this scent.

  Some may balk at making their garden smell like garlic, but it's a better scent than many other deer repellants offer. Rotten eggs, for example, is widely considered one of the best smells to keep deer at bay.

  Spray repellents work well if you only have a few deer near your home and if the deer haven't been eating in your yard for long. Reapply frequently, according to the manufacturer's directions.

Deter With High Fencing

• Building a high fence around the area where your blueberries grow is also a good solution. But remember, deer are jumpers, so the fence needs to be at least 7 feet tall. Since blueberries require full sun to grow well, make sure the fence won't put your berries in shade. In addition, make sure the fence is sturdy and well staked into the soil or the deer may knock it down. Since deer sometimes try to go under fences, the fence must touch the ground.

  If you have a lot of deer and they are used to getting into people's yards for dinner, one fence may not be enough. In such cases, install a second fence a few feet outside the existing fence. Because deer have poor depth perception, they are put off by double fencing.

Deter With Low Fencing

• f you're only worried about your blueberries, and no other plants, you can probably place a 4-foot netting fence around the bushes themselves. Deer don't like to put themselves in confined spaces. Install it at a 30-degree angle and deer will also fear becoming entangled in the netting.

Deter With Livestock Fencing

• Another method that may work is laying livestock fencing on the ground around your blueberry bushes. Secure the fencing (which is made up of squares) to the ground with stakes and wire. Typically, deer will take one or two steps into the fencing and then back off, fearful of a trap.

Deter With Dogs

• Dogs may be the best deer deterrent there is. So if you like dogs, keep one or two outside. Unless they are diggers, they won't harm your blueberry plants and they'll do a great job of scaring away deer.