An orchard full of organically sprayed cherries where we can go and pick (as many or as few as we like) for only 90 cents a pound. I didn't miss my cherry trees at all because this was so much simpler than caring for my own cherry trees (and having to pick every single cherry on them).
And this summer I am extremely grateful for the efforts of other growers and for local farm stands and farmers' markets. It is taking some getting used to to have to go out and buy veggies instead of trolling round my own garden getting inspiration for dinner. I feel very blessed to live in an area full of good, locally grown produce (and also for generous friends willing to share their produce).
I feel especially grateful for this after spotting this visitor on the Sunday (and again a bit closer yesterday afternoon).
Tomorrow on As the Garden Grows -
Will Heather have a garden left after she returns from holiday? Will the deer munch with zest and zeal on her little zucchini plants that are just growing tiny little zukes? Will they trample her much-loved tomatoes? Stay tuned...
;-)
6 comments:
Ack! A deer!
There was one walking down our street last night - never seen them here before (in our little area) and so I chased it down the road, yelling rude comments all the while, just in case it got comfy in my garden. Pigs with antlers, that's what they are - I live in fear that one will find my garden one night and consume everything. Well, I exaggerate a little, but after seeing one last night I did have some palpitations. What if? I would be sad.
Hmm, could you cover the plants with some sort of wire fencing that might encourage the deer to look elsewhere for treats?
or make some sort of a scarecrow to ward them off?
i love your gratitude list! SO much to be grateful for, hey? i love that you're still happy to see the deer "a little closer" when you know they COULD come and munch down your garden...
i've heard that "irish spring" soap bars, hung on sticks keeps them away. they hate the smell of it -- who doesn't?!?! or there are those sprinklers that are motion sensitive? my neighbours use one against our cat! seems to work really well, and that way you could see their presence as free garden-watering-service!
I love that your 'no garden' garden will likely yield twice as much as my garden :)
I noticed you have the same library book out as I do 'From Seed to Table'...it is making me a little depressed tho, living up here in Zone 3!
Wow you really are in the woods...deer and everything, cool.
Pigs with antlers indeed! ;-) I'm trying not to get too terribly invested in this year's garden outcome but I know if we planned to be here long term the deer would bother me enough to do some fencing around my veggies at least.
I did find some old highly scented soap (must be Irish Spring or Zest or some such) in the trailer so I broke it in two, put each half in a mesh sack and hung it at the ends of my tomato terrace. I can smell it every time I go out that way. Amazingly strong scent to it. Plus I put the dog hair around the bed whenever I brush him. ;-)
Your garden looks fantastic, Joanne. I didn't read much of the gardening part of Seed to Table but I thought there were some interesting seasonal recipes in it.
I did put some wire around the area where I have pole beans and squash so it will be interesting to see if that keeps them away. I wonder what kind of scarecrow (scaredeer?) you would need to keep deer away...I think the dog makes the best one. ;-)
I noticed a book in our library called 'Gardening in Deer Country'...or something like that. The consensus around here seems to be a high fence...I think my friend the market gardener at Mackin Creek uses 8 feet surrounding his entire 2 acres!
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