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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.

Hedge plants are available in almost every size, from seedlings to fully mature, six-foot-tall shrubs. Planting smaller plants is much easier and more cost-effective. However, it can take years for the plants to reach maturity and create a full hedge. Garden centers and specialty retailers sometimes offer three to four-foot wide plants that you can simply plant next to each other for an instant full hedge.

Moss attaches to the ground but doesn’t have roots, so it can take four to six weeks for establishment to begin. It takes between 12 and 18 months for full coverage, and maximum thickness takes about two years. Keep your moss moist and debris-free to ensure it establishes itself well.

There are two main times of year to apply mulch: mid to late spring and late fall. Spreading mulch in mid to late spring helps protect new seedlings as the soil warms up. It's best to wait until temperatures are steady, as mulching too early in the spring can slow down the soil's warming process and hinder plant growth. Fall mulching is also beneficial, as it insulates the soil and helps regulate its temperature when the first frosts arrive.