Elderberry (Sambucus) is a shrub or small tree that produces clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers followed by berries. The berries can be used to make pies jams and wine. Elderberry is native to Europe North America and parts of Asia.
Deer love to eat elderberry and can quickly decimate a planting. Luckily there are a few things you can do to protect your elderberry plants from deer.
One way to protect elderberry from deer is to plant it in a fenced area. A deer proof fence should be at least 8 feet tall and made of strong materials such as wire mesh or welded wire. If you can’t or don’t want to build a fence you can also try planting elderberry in a deer-resistant area such as near a wooded area or in a spot that’s rarely visited by deer.
Another way to keep deer away from elderberry is to use repellents. There are a number of commercial deer repellents available or you can make your own by mixing water vinegar and essential oils. Repellents should be reapplied every few weeks especially after it rains.
If deer are still manage to get to your elderberry plants you can try pruning the plants to make them less attractive to deer. Cut off any broken branches and remove any dead leaves or stems. You can also try spraying the plants with a mixture of water and cayenne pepper which will deter deer without harming the plants.
With a little effort you can keep deer from eating your elderberry plants. By fencing the plants using repellents and pruning them you can enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of your labor for years to come.
What is the best way to protect elderberry plants from deer?
The best way to protect elderberry plants from deer is to surround the plants with a fence.
What type of fence is the best at keeping deer out?
A fence that is at least 8 feet tall is the best at keeping deer out.
How often should the fence be checked to make sure deer have not breached it?
The fence should be checked once a week to make sure deer have not breached it.
What can be done if a deer breaches the fence?
If a deer breaches the fence the best thing to do is to repair the fence as soon as possible.
What is the best type of material to use to repair a fence?
The best type of material to use to repair a fence is wire mesh.
How should the wire mesh be attached to the fence?
The wire mesh should be attached to the fence using staples.
How often should the wire mesh be checked to make sure it is secure?
The wire mesh should be checked once a week to make sure it is secure.
What can be done if the wire mesh becomes detached from the fence?
If the wire mesh becomes detached from the fence the best thing to do is to reattach it using staples.
How can elderberry plants be protected from deer if a fence is not an option?
If a fence is not an option elderberry plants can be protected from deer by planting them in raised beds.
What is the best type of material to use for raised beds?
The best type of material to use for raised beds is wood.
How high should the raised bed be?
The raised bed should be at least 18 inches high.
How often should the raised bed be checked to make sure deer have not breached it?
The raised bed should be checked once a week to make sure deer have not breached it.
What can be done if a deer breaches the raised bed?
If a deer breaches the raised bed the best thing to do is to repair the bed as soon as possible.
What is the best type of material to use to repair a raised bed?
The best type of material to use to repair a raised bed is wire mesh.
How should the wire mesh be attached to the raised bed?
The wire mesh should be attached to the raised bed using staples.
