Summer is an ideal season for planting food plots for deer. With the right combination of food, water and cover, you can create an attractive habitat for these animals. Planting the right species of plants can provide them with the essential nutrients they need to thrive. In this article, we will discuss some of the best plants to plant for deer during the summer season. We will also discuss some tips and tricks to help you create a successful food plot that will attract deer all year round.Annual summer flowers that deer will enjoy include Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, Sunflowers, and Asters.
Perennial Summer Plants Deer Love
When it comes to perennial summer plants that deer love, there are a few key varieties to consider. Hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses are all top choices for gardeners who want to have a beautiful landscape without having to worry about deer destroying their hard work. Hostas come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them ideal for adding texture and color to any garden. They are also very low maintenance and can handle some light shade, making them great for shady spots. Daylilies are another great choice for gardens where deer may be a problem, as they can tolerate more sun than other varieties and have colorful blooms that last through the summer months. Ornamental grasses provide texture and movement in the garden with their tall blades of foliage swaying in the breeze. These grasses can also provide food for deer, which will help keep them away from other plants in the garden.
No matter what type of perennial summer plants you choose for your garden, it is important to remember that deer are still persistent pests. Taking steps such as surrounding your plants with fencing or spraying them with repellents can help keep them away from your prized plantings. With the right combination of plants and precautions, you can create a beautiful garden that will be enjoyed by both you and your local wildlife!
Trees and Shrubs That Attract Deer in Summer
Deer are often seen eating away at the vegetation of summer, and while this can be damaging to a property, there are varieties of trees and shrubs that can be planted to attract deer. These trees and shrubs provide deer with food and shelter, helping to keep them away from gardens and other areas where they may cause damage. Some of the best trees and shrubs for attracting deer in the summer include flowering dogwoods, crab apples, sumac, red oaks, hawthorns, and serviceberries.
Flowering dogwoods are perhaps one of the best trees for attracting deer in the summer as they provide a variety of fruits that are high in sugars and proteins. The plant also has an abundance of nectar-rich flowers which provide an additional source of nutrition for deer. Crab apples produce a variety of fruits which are loved by deer as well as birds, so it is important to have some form of protection around the tree if you wish to keep the crop intact.
Sumac is another great tree for attracting deer in the summer due to its clusters of red berries that provide a sweet treat for any hungry animal. Red oaks produce acorns in late summer which are highly sought after by deer while hawthorns produce small red fruits high in sugar content. Lastly, serviceberries have been known to attract both birds and mammals as they provide fruit filled with carbohydrates necessary for energy during hot days.
Planting these varieties of trees and shrubs will not only help attract deer away from gardens but also create an attractive habitat on your property throughout the year. With careful planning you can create an oasis full of wildlife friendly plants that will bring joy to your backyard!
Wild Berries and Fruits Deer Like to Eat
Deer are known to be quite the grazers, but they also love their fruits and berries! Wild deer enjoy a wide variety of wild berries and fruits, including apples, blackberries, raspberries, wild grapes, cherries, elderberries, huckleberries, mulberries, pears, plums, and serviceberries. Deer also love other types of fruits such as persimmons and crabapples.
Wild berries can be found in woods or forest areas during the late summer or early fall. They can also be found along trails or in open fields with plenty of sunlight. When looking for wild berries or fruits for deer to eat in the wild, be sure to look for plants that are low-growing and have thorns or prickles on them.
It’s important to remember that not all types of fruits and berries are safe for deer to eat. Wild mushrooms should never be consumed by deer as they can contain toxins that can cause sickness or death in deer. Also avoid feeding deer any type of processed foods like breads or crackers as these can cause digestive problems for the animals.
When looking for wild fruits and berries for deer to eat in the wild, it’s important to know what type of plant you are looking at before consuming it. If you cannot identify the plant you should not feed it to the deer. It’s also important to remember that feeding wild fruit and berries to deer should only be done occasionally as too much could cause digestive issues.
Wild berries and fruits may provide a nutritious snack for your local deer population but it’s important to remember that they should only be eaten occasionally since overfeeding them could lead to health issues like obesity or even malnutrition if other forms of food are not available.
Herbs That Attract Deer During the Summer Months
Deer are often attracted to certain herbs during the summer months, which can provide them with a source of nutritious food. Some of the herbs that deer are particularly fond of include clover, alfalfa, dandelion, chicory, plantain, and milkweed. Clover is a popular choice for deer as it contains protein and calcium. It also has a sweet flavor that makes it an attractive food source for them. Alfalfa is another herb that deer are particularly attracted to because it has high levels of both protein and calcium. It also contains essential fatty acids, which can help to improve the health of their coats and antlers. Dandelion is a type of weed that many deer find delicious when eaten fresh off the plant. It is loaded with vitamins A and C as well as antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for deer during the summer months. Chicory is another herb that can be beneficial for deer as it has high levels of fiber and iron in addition to being an excellent source of protein. Plantain is another herb that attracts deer during the summer months due to its sweet flavor and high vitamin A content. Finally, milkweed is another herb that attracts deer due to its high levels of protein and calcium. All of these herbs can provide essential nutrients for deer during the summer months.
In addition to these herbs, providing water sources for deer during the summer months can also be beneficial in attracting them to your area. Providing fresh water sources such as ponds or streams will ensure that they have access to clean drinking water throughout the warm weather months. Additionally, planting trees or shrubs near these water sources will provide additional shelter from predators and protect them from extreme temperatures.
In summary, there are several herbs that can attract deer during the summer months including clover, alfalfa, dandelion, chicory, plantain and milkweed. Providing water sources such as ponds or streams will also help attract deer during this time period. Planting trees or shrubs near these water sources will create additional shelter from predators while protecting them from extreme temperatures too.
Grasses for Summertime Deer Forage
The summer months are a crucial time for deer nutrition. As temperatures rise, deer begin to seek out high-quality food sources. Grasses can be a great option for deer forage during the summer months. They provide a balanced diet of nutrients and can help to keep deer healthy and thriving.
Grasses are an important part of the diet of white-tailed deer, especially during the summer months when other food sources may not be as abundant. Grasses provide necessary protein, carbohydrates, and minerals that help to keep deer healthy and nourished. In addition, they are a great source of fiber which helps to keep their digestive systems functioning properly.
When selecting grasses for summertime deer forage, it is important to choose varieties that are hardy enough to survive hot temperatures and drought conditions. Some of the best varieties include perennial rye grass, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, brome grasses and timothy grass. These varieties are all considered warm season grasses and can handle extreme heat and drought conditions better than cool season varieties.
In addition to selecting hearty varieties of grasses, it is also important to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of water during the summer months. During prolonged periods of drought or extreme heat, supplemental watering may be necessary in order to keep your grasses healthy and lush throughout the summer months.
Overall, providing quality forage in the form of warm season grasses can help your deer stay healthy throughout the summer months. Selecting hearty varieties that can handle hot temperatures and drought conditions will ensure that your deer have access to nutritious food sources even when other food sources may not be as available or accessible.
Low-Growing Ground Covers for Deer in Summer
Summer is the time when deer migrate to areas where they can find more food and shade from the sun. To help keep deer away from your property, it is important to choose low-growing ground covers that are unappealing to deer. Low-growing ground covers are a great way to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from taking root. Some popular low-growing ground covers include:
Pachysandra: Pachysandra is an evergreen shrub that is very low growing, making it perfect for areas where deer may be browsing. It has glossy, green leaves and produces small white flowers in the spring. Pachysandra grows best in partial shade and does not require much maintenance.
Lamium: Lamium is a fast-growing evergreen perennial with silvery foliage and small lavender or white flowers in the summer months. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and will spread quickly if given enough room to do so. Lamium makes an excellent ground cover for areas where deer may be browsing.
Creeping Phlox: Creeping phlox is a low-growing evergreen perennial with fragrant, pink or purple flowers in the springtime. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade and can spread quickly if given enough room. Creeping phlox makes an excellent ground cover for areas where deer may be browsing as they are unappealing to them due to its strong scent.
Vinca Minor: Vinca minor is a vigorous, evergreen perennial with glossy green leaves and blue or purple flowers in late spring or early summer. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade and can spread quickly if given enough room to do so. Vinca minor makes an excellent ground cover for areas where deer may be browsing as it is unappealing to them due to its thick foliage which prevents easy access to food sources beneath it.
These are just some of the many low-growing ground covers that can help keep deer away from your property during the summer months. Be sure to research any plants you plan on planting thoroughly before doing so, as not all plants may be suitable for your specific area or climate zone.
Bulbs and Tubers for Summer Foraging by Deer
Deer are known to be avid foragers in the summer months, as they search out food sources to fill their nutritional needs. One of the most common foods that deer will look for in the summer is bulbs and tubers. Bulbs are a type of plant that stores energy in an underground stem or root, and they are a great source of food for deer during the summer months. Tubers, on the other hand, are underground storage organs made up of swollen stems or roots. They offer deer a good source of carbohydrates and energy when other food sources may be scarce.
Bulbs and tubers can provide a great deal of nutrition to deer during the hotter months when traditional plant sources may be harder to come by. Some common bulbs and tubers that deer will seek out include wild onions, garlic mustard, wild leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion roots, salsify, and cattail roots. These plants are easy to spot in the wild due to their bright green leaves or their telltale onion-like smell.
When foraging for these bulbs and tubers in the wild, it’s important to remember that they can contain small amounts of toxins which can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. To minimize any potential risks associated with eating these plants it’s best to practice proper foraging techniques such as only harvesting from healthy plants and avoiding any areas that may have been contaminated with chemicals or pesticides.
In addition to providing an important source of nutrition during the summer months, bulbs and tubers can also help deer survive during times of drought as they contain high amounts of water which is essential for keeping them hydrated. For this reason, it’s important to keep an eye out for these plants when searching for good sources of food in areas where there may not be much other vegetation available to eat.
Overall, bulbs and tubers provide an important source of nutrition for deer throughout the summer months when other food sources may not be readily available. By understanding how to identify these plants in the wild and practicing proper harvesting techniques you can help ensure your local deer population have access to a safe source of nutrition this season.
Conclusion
Summertime is a great time to start planting for deer. With a few simple steps, you can provide your local deer population with plenty of nutritious food throughout the summer months. The best plants to plant for deer in the summer include corn, apples, clover, alfalfa, and soybeans. These plants will provide a high-quality source of nutrition that will help the deer population thrive throughout the summer months. Additionally, these plants can be easily planted and harvested by landowners if they want to manage their own food plots for deer.
Overall, planting for deer in the summertime is a great way to support local wildlife and improve your land’s natural biodiversity. Providing nutritious food sources for deer can also benefit other wildlife species that share their habitat and can even draw more wildlife into your area if managed properly.
With careful planning and an understanding of what to plant for deer during the summer months, any landowner can create a thriving oasis for local wildlife that will benefit both them and the surrounding environment!