Hoosier Boy Growing Guides
Deer-Resistant Gardening
June 12, 2026 · The Hoosier Boy Newsletter
From the greenhouse
Caleb Schlegel
“Deer resistant” is one of the most misunderstood phrases in gardening. It doesn’t mean deer proof — it means a plant is lower on the menu than whatever’s growing next to it. This week’s guides walk through what that actually means, and what to do about it.
This week’s lineup:
· What actually works for deer control — an honest tier list
· What “deer resistant” really means
· Why deer often leave fuzzy and aromatic plants alone
· Which garden favorites are basically deer candy
· The most deer-resistant plants I grow
If you’ve ever walked outside and found the garden half-eaten overnight, this week’s guides are for you.
This week’s Growing Guides
What Actually Works for Deer Control? An Honest Tier List
Every gardener eventually asks me the same question: “What can I buy that will actually keep deer away?” It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is that some things work very well, some work for…
Read the guide · Caleb Schlegel
What Does “Deer Resistant” Actually Mean?
One of the most misunderstood terms in gardening is “deer resistant.” People hear it and think “deer proof.” Those are…
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Why Deer Often Leave Fuzzy and Aromatic Plants Alone
One of the easiest ways to spot a plant deer tend to skip is to reach out and touch it. A lot of the more…
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Why Deer Love Hostas, Begonias, and Other Garden Favorites
Here’s the frustrating part of all this: some of the plants deer love most are the exact plants gardeners love most. A…
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The Most Deer-Resistant Plants I Grow
Nothing is completely deer proof — we’ve covered that. But some plants are much less likely to get damaged, and these…
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