How to discourage deer

There are over 2,000 deer in the National Park and in some areas they are seen as pests because of the damage they cause in gardens.  

To keep out deer, fencing must be at least 1.5m tall with a maximum mesh size of 10cm by 10cm; it must also be staked to the ground or partially buried to prevent deer from pushing underneath.  Electric fencing can deter larger deer species, but repellents such as lion dung and human hair are not effective despite popular opinion!

A good way to protect your favourite plants from deer while maintaining a healthy, diverse garden is to provide alternative browse for them. By allowing brambles, rosebay willow-herb, rowan (mountain ash), dandelion, campion, hoary cinquefoil, knotweed, sweet lupin, redleg, ribwort and yarrow to grow, you may tempt them away from your favourite roses.