Toxic Vegetables

• Some vegetables are toxic until they are cooked, like callalou, a leafy green that is cooked in a similar manner as spinach. Other plants have toxic parts that aren't consumed by humans, such as rhubarb. While rhubarb stalks can be safely eaten by humans, their leaves are toxic and unappealing to deer. Potatoes also have toxic leaves.
  
  

Strongly Flavored Vegetables

• Strongly flavored vegetables are deer-proof. In most cases, they will be able to smell the vegetable and not be interested in tasting it. Some strongly flavored vegetables include onions, fennel, garlic and leeks.
  
  

Root Vegetables

• Deer are more likely to nibble on easily accessible vegetables and fruits, not ones they have to dig for. Some root vegetables that are nearly deer-proof include carrots and potatoes.
  
  

Prickly Vegetables

• Plants that are prickly, have hairy leaves, are sharp or otherwise painful to touch are plants that deer will avoid. Vegetables that fit this description include prickly pear and other cacti, cucumbers and other squash plants with hairy leaves, and tomatoes.