I know this works for keeping critters out of a crawl space and attic, so perhaps you could modify it for outside for deer. For a home you just put moth balls in a nylon stocking and put them in the critter area and the critter flees. Then remove the moth balls and resume your life. You don't want the moth balls to touch the garden but perhaps a small amount in a waterproof container. Deer are sensitive to smells and will avoid the area. I realise moth balls are toxic so you might have to modify the idea to suit your needs.

Taste and scent seem to work in low deer pressure areas, but I've tried about half a dozen of the home remedies like this, and our deer laugh at them. Nasty smelling soap, cheap perfume, urine --- they walk right on by. I think that taste and scent will only keep deer away if they don't really want to come in your garden in the first place.