Life in cottage country can feel like paradise, especially during peak gardening season. With an abundance of flora in bloom, the Muskoka region takes on a beauty unique to Canada. However, having such a rich wilderness also means we have to share our gorgeous landscapes with the diverse local wildlife. As Muskoka residents and avid green thumbs ourselves, we know all too well the disappointment of watching our gardens reduced to deer and rabbit food. Thankfully, we also have some clever DIY tricks you can try right now to repel these cute little critters and stop them from clearing out your prized plant collection. 

Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres-Ontario-brick retaining wall
What Can Repel Deer and Rabbits from My Muskoka Garden?

We’ve all been there—waking up to a bare patch where one of our glorious blooms once stood just the night before. The truth is, deer and rabbits will eat just about anything if they are hungry enough, especially the spring babies. However, with the right know-how, you can make your cozy cottage less appealing to these pesky grazers. Try some of these homemade deer repellent strategies to keep your paradise deer and rabbit-free:

Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres-Port Carling and Bala Ontario-Keeping deer out of garden-perennial flowers
Choosing Deer and Rabbit-Repellent Plants

If your cottage garden is full of deer and rabbit delicacies, then you really shouldn’t be complaining about your dinner guests. Luckily, there’s a whole host of plants that deer and rabbits absolutely despise. Deer and rabbit-repellent plants usually have a nasty taste, strong aroma, and a fuzzy or rough texture that they can’t stand. Some suitable picks for the Muskoka region include: 

Perennials:

  • Lavender
  • Daffodil
  • Clematis
  • Lady’s Mantle
  • Bee Balm
  • Hyssop
  • Ferns
  • Salvia
  • Russian Sage
  • Grasses
  • Bleeding heart
  • Peony
  • Black-Eyed Susan
  • Aster
  • Geraniums
  • Iris
  • Bluebells
  • Coreopsis
  • Yarrow

Shrubs/Trees

  • Boxwood
  • Butterfly bush
  • Lilac
  • Spirea
  • Spruce
  • Potentilla
  • Fragrant Sumac
  • Weigela
Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres-Port Carling and Bala Ontario-Keeping deer out of garden-roses and barberry shrubs

To further increase the chances of repelling deer and rabbits from your home’s blissful backyard, try planting thorny shrubs like roses and barberry. You can also experiment with some other great textured plants, like thistle and holly, or add strong-smelling herbs like rosemary and thyme amongst your favourite flowers to really repel any potential diners. 

Another natural trick is to plant deer-repelling annuals like Marigolds and Cleome in amongst your perennials.

Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres-Port Carling and Bala Ontario-Keeping deer out of garden-spraying garden

If you have a well-established garden and don’t really feel like replanting your home’s plant paradise, using a deer repellent around your landscape is an excellent option. Products like Bobbex, Animal-B-Gon have strong scents and an incredibly bitter taste that deer absolutely detest, making them fantastic for repelling these persistent pests. If you’re looking for a less stinky solution, motion-activated sprinklers and ultrasonic sound wave devices are other handy tools for keeping deer at bay without tainting the delicate scents of your summer blooms.  

Blend all the ingredients together, along with a couple of tablespoons of chili powder. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and add a few drops of dish soap. Apply your homemade repellent to your plants every two weeks to ward off those unruly wildlife diners. If DIY isn’t quite your style, you can also use a store-bought animal repellent spray to effectively keep critters away.

Port Carling and Bala Garden Centres-Port Carling and Bala Ontario-Keeping deer out of garden-fencing in the garden
Fencing

If all else fails, remember that fencing is an incredibly effective repellent. A homemade wire fence is usually just the way to go and can be moulded around specific plants, containers, or your entire garden. When installing any type of wire or fine mesh fencing, make sure you drop it at least 6″ into the ground. Rabbits find improperly-installed fencing incredibly humorous and will gladly crawl under for those fresh, homegrown carrots. As for the deer, try a homemade double-layered fence! Deer will typically avoid jumping into areas where they feel trapped, so a double fence they can’t clear in a single jump will act as an incredibly effective repellent. 

Muskoka is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way! There are many ways we can all simultaneously enjoy our world-famous cottage country and live in peace with our celebrated wildlife. If you need more tips and advice about homemade deer repellents, or you just need to stock up on more deer and rabbit-repellent blooms, come visit us at our Port Carling or Bala location today!