Get matched with top landscapers in Walsh, CO

The truth is, there really is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Deer will decimate even the prickliest flora if they’re hungry enough. However, there are plenty of beautiful plants that deer don’t necessarily enjoy. These include thistles, wisteria vines, sword ferns, and beautyberries.

Deer are herbivores, and they love vegetable gardens as much as Peter Rabbit. If you don’t want to fence in your entire property, consider creating an attractive raised-bed veggie garden with mesh fencing around it to keep out deer and other critters.

Unless it only rains once in a blue moon where you live, you’re going to want water-loving plants in your garden bed or pot. A few ideas for plants that aren’t super fast-growing (meaning they’re good in pots or near foundations) and can handle a lot of standing water include: 

• Acorus (Sweet flag)

• Colocasia esculenta (Taro or elephant ear): In many climates, these are annuals, making them less desirable because you need to adjust the chain again after each replant.

• Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf horsetail rush): non-dwarf varieties of horsetail are fast growers and can take over quickly.

• Juncus effusus (Curly rush)

• Osmunda regalis (Royal fern): Royal fern can grow quickly but can also handle being crowded, making them good container plants.

The best time to plant a tree is in the spring, so the roots have time to grow into the surrounding soil before winter sets in. Some people recommend planting in the late fall. However, planting in the spring reduces the stress on the tree, as it will be emerging from dormancy, giving it the full spring and summer ahead to acclimate and put down roots into the soil.

Plant a peach tree right at the end of your local dormancy period, likely at the very end of winter after the last frost when you can dig into the soft soil. Plan your backyard gardening season, including when planting peach trees, based on the frost schedule predicted in your local hardiness zone.