Deer are known to be voracious eaters and can cause significant damage to gardens and landscaping. When it comes to cucumber plants, deer generally tend to avoid them due to their prickly nature. Cucumbers have hairy leaves, which can be uncomfortable for deer to consume. The texture and prickliness act as a deterrent for these animals, making them less likely to nibble on cucumber plants.
In addition to the physical characteristics of cucumber plants, their strong scent can also repel deer. Deer have a highly developed sense of smell, and certain plants with strong odors are not palatable to them. Cucumbers do not emit a strong odor that would attract deer, making them less likely to be a target for these animals.
I have personally experienced this in my own garden. I have planted cucumber plants for several years now, and while deer have caused havoc with other plants, they have consistently avoided the cucumber plants. The prickly leaves and lack of a strong scent seem to be effective in keeping deer away.
It is important to note, however, that while deer generally avoid cucumber plants, they may still occasionally nibble on them if food sources are scarce. Therefore, it is always a good idea to take precautions to protect your cucumber plants from deer. This can be done by using physical barriers such as fences or netting, or by using deer repellents that emit odors or tastes that are unpleasant to deer.
To summarize, deer typically do not eat cucumber plants due to their prickly leaves and lack of strong scent. However, it is still advisable to take preventive measures to protect your cucumber plants from deer, especially in areas where deer populations are high.
