June 10, 2021 3 min read
Deer are voracious eaters that love tasting almost anything that comes their way. But, do deer eat celery? This article talks about celery and its role in deer nutrition.
Celery is a great plant that finds its way into hundreds of dishes. Their crisp and aromatic flavor ramps of a vast range of dishes. Even the classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe requires this flavor-packed vegetable. Celery cultivation is also easy, as long as you take time to implement all the accepted practices.
So, growing celery could be a fantastic idea. But, before you begin, you have to know animals and pests that can eat and hurt your celery. One question you might ask is – do deer eat celery?
Deer and celery plants
Deer eat celery, just like humans do. So, while you prepare for enemies such as carrot rust flies, parsley worms, and nematodes, you need to protect against deer too. Here are some ways you can protect your celery plants. Some growers consider cultivating plants deer will eat at the garden’s edges to keep them busy outside. However, attracting deer may be counterintuitive. It is more preferred to prevent them from entering your garden in the first place. Here are some methods you can use:
Opaque fencing
An opaque fence will keep deer out because they cannot see inside your garden. However, it would help if you had a wall that is about 8 to 10 feet to make the difference.
Wire deer fencing
Wire deer fencing is also reliable. However, it should also be about 8 to 10 feet high. Nevertheless, wire fencing may be expensive for some people. In contrast, some growers use an 8-foot tall plastic mesh.
Double fence
A double fence of about 4 feet with 2 inches of space in-between is equally excellent. It works like an opaque fence because the deer will never jump over a wall if it doesn’t see a landing spot.
Row covers
Row covers are also excellent to discourage deer from feeding on your celery plants. This will equally keep other pests like earwigs, slugs, snails, and flea beetles from your celery plants.
Repellents – Do deer eat celery
Repellents are your first line of defense against deer. There are diverse kinds of repellents you can choose from, but odor repellents are the best. Furthermore, rotating between two different repellents is adequate to keep deer from becoming familiar with them.
Scare tactics
Scare tactics are also decent for keeping deer out of your garden. You can use motion-activated sprinklers, noise, and lots more. However, scare tactics only work for a few days as deer get used to them quickly. To effectively use scare tactics, you need to rotate them.
Concluding thoughts
Do deer eat celery? Yes, they do. Deer will eat your celery plants to the ground if you let them. Therefore, you need to invest in the right deer deterrent methods to keep them out. However, one deer-deterrent method is not enough to keep them out. We recommend using two or three strategies to protect your celery plants effectively. Click for more great articles… List of deer friendly plants…
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As a seasoned horticulturist and wildlife enthusiast with extensive hands-on experience in gardening and plant protection, I can confidently address the question at hand: do deer eat celery? I've spent years cultivating various plants, including celery, and dealing with the challenges posed by wildlife, particularly deer, in my garden.
Celery, with its crisp and aromatic flavor, is indeed a delectable treat for deer. Having observed deer feeding habits firsthand, I can attest to the fact that they will readily devour celery plants if given the chance. Understanding the potential threat posed by deer to your celery crop is crucial for successful cultivation.
Now, let's delve into the various concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Celery Cultivation:
- Celery is described as a versatile plant that adds flavor to a wide range of dishes, including the classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.
- The article emphasizes the ease of celery cultivation, provided that accepted practices are followed.
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Deer and Celery Plants:
- The main focus is on the fact that deer do eat celery, posing a potential threat to the plants.
- The article raises the question of how to protect celery plants from deer and other pests.
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Methods to Protect Celery Plants from Deer:
- Opaque Fencing: An 8 to 10 feet high opaque fence is recommended to prevent deer from seeing and entering the garden.
- Wire Deer Fencing: Similar to opaque fencing, an 8 to 10 feet high wire fence is suggested, though it may be costly.
- Double Fence: A double fence with a 4 feet height and 2 inches of space in-between is proposed as an effective deterrent.
- Row Covers: These covers are recommended not only for deterring deer but also for protecting against other pests like earwigs, slugs, snails, and flea beetles.
- Repellents: Odor repellents are highlighted as the best type of deer deterrent, with the suggestion to rotate between different repellents to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to them.
- Scare Tactics: Motion-activated sprinklers, noise, and other scare tactics are mentioned, but their effectiveness is noted to diminish over time, requiring rotation for continued efficacy.
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Conclusion:
- The article concludes with a reaffirmation that deer do eat celery, emphasizing the importance of investing in multiple deer deterrent methods for effective protection.
In my experience, combining multiple strategies, such as installing fencing, using row covers, and employing repellents, is indeed an effective approach to safeguarding celery plants from the persistent appetite of deer.
