skip to main content

Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

Do deer and bunnies like winter squash plants?

13 years ago

I have a pretty secure garden fence. But I'd like to plant my winter squash (Waltham butternut) somewhere else, since it takes up too much room and has attracted too many squash bugs. If I planted them out in a field, would bunnies and deer eat the foliage unprotected? I know there are some plants that these animals tend to not bother.
Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

farmerdill
13 years ago
Deer will eat winter squash plants. Never had rabbits bother them.
catherinet
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks farmerdill.
Related Professionals
Southaven Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · College Station Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Victorville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Grand Junction Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Jonesboro Landscape Contractors · Rome Landscape Contractors · Greenville Landscape Contractors · Cherry Hill Landscape Contractors · Des Moines Landscape Contractors · Valdosta Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Oklahoma City Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Aiken Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Madison Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Wausau Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Cheyenne Stone, Pavers & Concrete
homegrown54
13 years ago
I've never had trouble with critters. Too smelly? :)
Never heard of deer eating the foliage if they have other choices, but we do put out old squash in the winter for deer when times are tough for them. Interesting!
katkeeper36
13 years ago
I've had rabbits clean me out of Butternut Squash leaves...one of the reasons I'm going vertical this year. Also, Nasturtium is a beatiful and edible flower thats acts as a natural repellant to Squash Bugs...look into it. Nice companion plant.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Deer-Resistant Native Flowers to Plant This Fall

Learn about natives that embrace some kinds of wildlife but resist grazing deer

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen

Protect your privacy and keep deer at bay with a planting trio that turns a problem garden area into a highlight

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Deer-Resistant Elegant Evergreen Shrubs to Plant This Fall

Who knew that such beautiful shrubs could be deer-resistant?

FALL GARDENING 9 Deer-Resistant Flowering Shrubs to Plant This Fall

These exquisite shrubs will attract your attention but won’t tempt the deer that roam your neighborhood at night

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Deer-Resistant Ground Covers to Plant This Fall

Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant

TREES 7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees to Plant this Fall

If you live in a neighborhood with roaming deer, consider these beautiful trees that won't tempt hungry guests

FALL GARDENING 6 Deer-Resistant Flowering Vines to Plant This Fall

Have a major deer problem? Here are some of the only vines that have a chance of not being eaten

Sponsored

More Discussions

Summer squash seeds producing winter squash

1