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Cons of planting cover crops in a garden #753467

Asked June 02, 2021, 10:29 AM EDT

I have a large area of new garden and want to do a combination of permaculture and annuals. I would like to plant cover crops to prevent weeds from taking over while the garden becomes established and also as a no till planting area for annual vegetables. It is at our "farm" property up north that has a lot of wildlife I will have to deal with....no fencing.I am trying to plant things that deer do not like. WILL PLANTING COVER CROPS ATTRACT UNWANTED DEER AND OTHER ANIMALS TO MY GARDEN? WOULD YOU DISCOURAGE ME FROM USING THEM? WHAT COVER CROPS WOULD BE LEAST ATTRACTIVE TO DEER? Any alternatives? Just mulch? Thanks much. Hope to hear from you soon. I'm in mpls, farm is in ottertail co.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Cover crops are often planted specifically to attract deer so your question is well founded.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that triticale, millet and oats are less palatable to deer than other cover crops such and winter rye, clover, vetch and buckwheat.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2021, 10:41 PM EDT
Thanks so much for your advice.
Pat

On Fri, Jun 4, 2021 at 9:41 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 06, 2021, 11:05 AM EDT

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