Habitat template

Deer-Resistant Pollinator Bed Plan

No plant is deer proof, but this template starts with sturdy, sunny plants that are less attractive than many tender garden crops.

Open this plan in Garden Planner Customize from the Screener
Bed size
8 x 4
Plants
6
Space range
6-54 sq ft

Plan setup

What this template assumes

The planner link stores the template locally in your browser so you can change quantities, drag plants, export a bed PDF, or clear it.

Bed footprint 32 sq ft

1 bed at 8 x 4 ft.

Site Zone 7B

Full sun, loam soil, low water.

Estimated output Varies

Based on sourced yield rows where available; herbs and flowers may not have pound output.

Data coverage 6/6 spacing rows

6/6 plants have output ranges; 0 need extra risk review.

Plant list

Plants in this layout

Quantities are starting points. Use the Garden Planner to adjust spacing, layout, and risk checks.

Summer bloom

Purple coneflower

Perennial flower / zones 3a-9a

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Rarely damaged / Better near black walnut
Long bloom

Black-eyed Susan

Perennial flower / zones 3a-9b

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Rarely damaged / Better near black walnut
Milkweed host plant

Butterfly weed

Perennial flower / zones 3a-9b

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Seldom damaged / Mixed or uncertain
Low aromatic flower

Moonshine yarrow

Perennial flower / zones 3a-9a

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Rarely damaged / Better near black walnut
Aromatic structure

Russian sage

Perennial flower / zones 4a-9a

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Rarely damaged / Mixed or uncertain
Late-season bloom

October Skies aromatic aster

Perennial flower / zones 3a-8b

Qty
1
Spacing
1-3 ft apart
Yield
-
Risk
Not rated / Better near black walnut

Source trail

References behind this template

These are the common source families behind the plants in this layout. Individual plant pages keep their own source links and caveats.

17 template records NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox Reference basis for ornamental plant size, function, and right-plant-right-place screening. 12 template records Penn State Extension - Landscaping and Gardening Around Walnuts and Other Juglone Producing Plants Black walnut and juglone sensitivity/tolerance cue for garden placement screening. 10 template records Rutgers NJAES - Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance Deer browsing categories used as planning cues; no plant is deer proof under heavy pressure. 6 template records Illinois Extension - Growing Vegetables in Containers Container vegetable guidance for matching container size, rooting depth, and plant density. 6 template records K-State Extension Master Gardener Handbook - Herbaceous Plants Herbaceous spacing method based on mature plant form and height.

Useful supplies

Setup items for this plan

Product links may earn a commission and do not affect plant rankings.

Site prep / Before planting

Soil test kit or lab mailer

Check pH and baseline nutrients before adding amendments, especially for fruiting crops, native beds, and acid-loving plants.

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Soil / After planting

Organic mulch

Hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and protect shallow roots.

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Watering / Planting day

Watering wand or can

Water new transplants gently without washing soil away from the crown or roots.

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Protection / After planting

Rabbit or deer protection

Guard young edible, native, and ornamental plants until they can tolerate browsing.

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Tools / Planting day

Hand trowel

Plant starts, herbs, flowers, bulbs, and smaller container plants at the right depth.

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Next step

Make it fit your yard

Templates are useful shortcuts, but ZIP, frost window, deer pressure, black walnut, and sun exposure still matter.

4x8 raised bed cropsCompare compact crops that make sense in a 32 sq ft bed. Zone 7 vegetablesBrowse Zone 7 kitchen crops with timing and spacing data. Deer-resistant plantsStart with plants that have better deer browsing cues.