As an outdoor enthusiast and nature lover, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with wild deer. However, if you’re a home gardener growing juicy tomatoes, you may be wondering – do deer eat tomatoes? Let’s dive in and explore deer behavior to understand how to protect your precious tomato plants.

Yes, deer absolutely eat tomatoes when given the chance. However, tomatoes are not their favorite snack. By implementing deterrents like fences, cage enclosures, deer netting, companion plants, repellents, and ultrasonic devices you can effectively protect your tomatoes from deer and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

In this detailed guide, I’ll cover whether deer will eat tomatoes, which other crops and plants are on the deer menu, signs of deer damage, and tips to keep them from feasting in your garden. After reading, you’ll be equipped with strategies to safeguard your tomatoes and other produce. So let’s get started!

Do Deer Eat Tomatoes?

The short answer is yes, deer will eat tomatoes if they have access, though tomatoes don’t top their list of preferred tasty treats. Deer are foragers by nature and will sample different vegetation to meet their dietary needs.

Fruits, nuts, foliage, vegetables – you name it. If a deer wandered into your yard and spotted a juicy tomato plant, it would likely take a nibble.

Deer rely heavily on their senses of smell and hearing to detect predators and other threats. With a weaker sense of sight, they may discover your tomato plants by smell initially. Then, tempted by the fragrance, they’ll move in to investigate with a bite.

When Are Tomatoes Most At Risk?

Your tomato plants are most vulnerable to deer damage in the summer and early fall when food supplies are lower in the deer’s natural habitat. This leads them to venture out in search of alternate food sources.

Young deer are especially likely to stumble upon your garden during their first year when they are separated from their mothers. Without guidance, they explore new territory and munch indiscriminately.

Will Deer Eat All Parts of a Tomato Plant?

Deer are most attracted to the tender foliage and stems of tomato plants rather than the tomatoes themselves. The leaves offer the moisture and nutrients they crave.

That said, deer won’t turn their noses up at fruits or vegetables within reach. Ripe, red tomatoes will absolutely be sampled if discovered. Green, unripened tomatoes may also get a taste test.

In their pursuit, deer will eat all plant parts – leaves, stems, and fruits. Extensive damage is possible if a herd invades your tomato patch under cover of darkness.

How to Identify Deer Damage

Unless you catch a deer in the act, determining what animal disturbed your garden can be tricky. Here are some clues that point to deer as the culprits:

Hoof prints – Check for small hoof indentations in soft soil if you suspect deer visitors.
Branches were broken – Look for small broken branches as deer jump fences or walk through plants.
Height of damage – Deer can reach up to 6 feet high when standing, leaving higher damage.
Type of damage – Deer leave ragged, torn edges where they’ve bitten off stems and leaves.
Trails in vegetation – Look for trails through grasses or crops where multiple deer have traveled.

What Does Deer Damage Look Like?

When deer discover your lush tomato plants, they will nibble leaves and stems, leaving ragged edges. If a whole herd descends, plants may be completely stripped or trampled.

Partially eaten, bitten tomatoes are a sure sign. Plus, unripened green tomatoes will also get taste-tested if low on other food sources.

How to Deter Deer From Tomato Plants

Now that we know deer are likely tomato thieves, let’s explore effective tactics to deter them from feasting in your garden. An integrated approach works best – the more defenses, the better!

1. Install Fencing

Installing a tall fence around your vegetable garden is the best physical barrier to keep deer at bay. Aim for 8 feet tall or more, as deer can easily clear shorter heights in a single bound. Wood, wire, or plastic deer fencing will do the trick.

For optimal results, angle fencing outwards from the top to prevent deer from leaping in. You can also add electric fencing for extra protection – just be sure to post warning signs for humans.

2. Build Protective Enclosures

If fencing your entire garden isn’t feasible, consider building cages or enclosures specifically around your tomato plants.

Secure each plant with a sturdy enclosure made of stakes and chicken wire or flexible plastic fencing, ensuring that the barriers extend to a height of 5-6 feet. Remember to firmly anchor the base of the enclosure to prevent any sneaky deer from slithering underneath.

3. Use Deer Netting

Deer netting is affordable and easy to install overtop of planted rows or around the perimeter of your vegetable garden. Look for UV-stabilized, durable netting that won’t easily degrade.

Set up at least 5 feet high and secure tightly to ground posts. This prevents deer from pushing underneath or jumping over. You can easily remove and store netting over winter.

4. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents

Motion-activated sprinklers and lights provide a sudden startling burst when deer break an invisible infrared beam. This deters them without harm.

Position the sprinkler to detect approaching deer and activate the water spray. For lights, go with randomly flashing bulbs to prevent deer from adjusting to a pattern.

5. Use Deer Repellents

Applying smelly natural repellents encourages deer to move on rather than sticking around. Look for commercial sprays based on rotten eggs, garlic, or pepper derivatives, and reapply weekly.

You can also create homemade concoctions using hot peppers, garlic, soap, and eggs. Apply liberally throughout the garden to deter curious deer.

6. Add Deer-Resistant Companion Plants

Certain plants naturally deter deer with strong scents, flavors, or textures. Planting these around your garden perimeter or among vegetables helps camouflage favored plants.

Some excellent options include lavender, catmint, ornamental grasses, boxwood, daffodils, rosemary, and alliums like garlic and chives. You get built-in protection plus visual appeal.

7. Ultrasonic Repellents

Battery or solar-powered ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that annoy deer and other wildlife, prompting them to avoid the area. Place them around your garden for wide coverage.

These sound deterrents are safe and eco-friendly. Just be mindful of potential impacts on dogs, cats, and other backyard wildlife before installing.

What Other Plants Do Deer Favor?

Now that we’ve established that yes, deer will eat tomatoes given the chance, let’s look at what else is on their plant-based hit list. Here are some of deer’s other favorite garden treats:

Lettuce – A salad staple for humans and deer alike. The tender, moisture-filled leaves are enticing.
Corn – Deer are drawn to the sweet flavor of corn and will nibble ears pre-harvest.
Beans – Green beans and their plants attract deer, especially in summer when wild food is scarce.
Squash – Zucchini, pumpkin, summer squash – a deer won’t discriminate if they find them!
Fruit trees – Deer browse fruits including apples, pears, peaches, and plums.
Strawberries – These sweet, juicy berries are gobbled up quickly by deer if unprotected.
Flowers – Deer samples many varieties – lilies, sunflowers, tulips, and more.
Ornamental grasses – Deer nibble on plumes of grasses including pampas grass and fountain grass.

As you can see, deer have diverse tastes when it comes to garden plants. Protecting favored crops like tomatoes and lettuce should be a priority. Now let’s look at signs of deer damage so you know what to look for.

Conclusion

To wrap it up – do deer eat tomatoes and tomato plants? yes, deer will indeed eat tomatoes if given the opportunity! While tomatoes may not be their number one snack, deer will sample almost any vegetation within reach.

Protect tomato plants with fencing, netting, repellents, companion plants, and ultrasonic devices. Combine multiple deterrents for best results. Stopping deer damage ensures you can enjoy nature’s bounty from your own backyard.

With persistence and the right deer defenses in place, you can have your tomatoes and eat them too. Happy gardening!