14 Ways Deer Might Be Improving Your Outdoor Space

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Deers get a bad rap for tipping over your prized tulips or trampling through the garden, but have you ever considered whether these majestic animals bring anything positive to your yard? Although they can be slightly frustrating, deer may actually be contributing to your outdoor space in ways you never thought of. From helping to balance your yard’s ecosystem to just plain adding charm to your view, there’s more to them than you think.

You might think this is a surprise, but deer could be nature’s unsung helpers in some cases. Although at times disruptive, their behaviors can also lead to growth, biodiversity, and creative solutions for managing your outdoor space. Let’s take a closer look at the subtle ways deer might actually be making your yard a better place.

Eco-Friendly Innovation

Deer may encourage you to look at more eco friendly fencing or plantings. Non invasive deterrents like motion activated sprinklers are tried by many people before finding a more sustainable outdoor management approach.

Creating Teaching Moments

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Deer sighting to families can be a curiosity and learning spark. Kids can observe the behavior, research the habits or marvel at their beauty. Deer provide a real life lesson in respect for nature and all its surprises, as well as an understanding of the outdoor space for kids.

Boosting Biodiversity

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By nature, deer are wanderers, and they come with seeds on board. Seeds get dispersed far and wide—whether they’re stuck to their fur or passed through their digestive system. This assists in new plants growth in places you would not have expected. A ResearchGate study revealed that deer aren’t just filthy beasts trampling all things nice—seed dispersal by deer adds significantly to plant diversity in both forests and meadows.

Enhancing Soil Fertility

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Let’s not dance around it, deers leave droppings. But here’s the silver lining: Those are good for your soil, as they’re rich in nutrients. This is not all bad news since this deer ‘gift’ can act as a natural fertilizer, boosting the health of your plants, with no extra work on your part.

Offering Natural Pest Control

Allowing Pests to Thrive — Photo Credit: Pexels

It’s astounding, but deer may even help control some pests. Their grazing habits have been shown to diminish the population of plants that serve as a host to some insects or fungi. They aren’t a replacement for other pest management strategies, but sometimes they eat plant pests that might otherwise be unwelcome.

Adding to the Scenic View

Watching a deer stroll through your yard is just so peaceful in an undeniably way. Quiet grace and beauty can make your outdoor space a nature documentary. For most homeowners, the existence of deer is a soothing link to nature.

Attracting Birdlife

It’s not just your plants that the deer affect; they can attract other wildlife, too. When they wander about, they disturb the ground and uncover insects which feed birds. And the seeds they disperse tend to blossom into berry or nectar producers, which only brings in more feathered friends.

Forest Management

Country Garden and a Shed — Photo Credit: Pexels

Deer can help keep your wooded areas under control if your property includes them. The browsing keeps fast growing plants, such as shrubs or young trees, from overtaking the forest floor. It can maintain a healthier balance and let more sunlight in the ground.

Creative Gardening

Man Planting Plant — Photo Credit: Binyamin Mellish/Pexels

Deer can force you to try new things in your garden. If they’ve eaten the blooms that you like best, you may find yourself seeking out native plants that aren’t quite as tasty to them. A more sustainable and resilient garden design can result from this move.

Inspiring Community Conversations

People Gathering Pumpkins in Garden — Photo Credit: Pexels

When you see a deer, it might inspire talking to your neighbors to share stories and discuss tips and strategies. They can build communities around how to live with wildlife.

Predators in the Ecosystem

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Deer are a critical part of the food chain, feeding the coyotes and bobcats. By maintaining deer on your property, you keep these other animals fed and that helps maintain a balanced ecosystem that can have ripple effects from your yard into the surrounding areas.

Deer as Natural Lawn Trimmers

Have you noticed how parts of your lawn are perfectly trimmed after a deer goes through it? They can be a form of organic mowing system, especially in over grown areas. Grasses and weeds that deer eat are also grasses and weeds that might otherwise need to be trimmed, saving you a little time and effort. You can think of it as nature helping you with your landscaping chores.

Encouraging New Plant Growth

Deer that nibble on shrubs or trees will often encourage new growth. Just like you prune your roses to encourage them to grow fresh blooms, deer can make plants produce fresh leaves and branches after a light snack. It would seem counterintuitive, but this process aka browsing can actually lead to lusher foliage over the long run.

Promoting Mindful Living

Many times deer remind us to slow down and enjoy the small things in life. Like other small mammals, you can watch them graze in the yard, move through your yard or if you catch them in the open, can be a wildlife inspiration for moments of mindfulness and gratitude for the natural world.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.