Ahh, Spring! That wonderful season when a gardener’s thoughts turn to developing a plan to outwit deer with cunning tactics and clever gadgets.
As I was cruising the web for new methods of keeping the munchers at bay, I found this sobering fact: A single deer consumes 2,000 pounds of plants and acorns each year. A single deer? 2,000 pounds?? How many gardens is that? Yikes!
My next search landed me on the Audubon Society’s website, where I read, “Ecologists warn that damage may become permanent and forest biodiversity and sustainability will be forever reduced if aggressive measures are not taken to control deer populations.”
You may be one of the lucky few who haven’t had to contend with ravenous deer. Then again, you may have already found out the hard way (as I have) that deer don’t restrict themselves to woodland banquets. They also invade home gardens. What can a desperate gardener do? Well, there are a number of steps we can take to protect our precious plants. Check out my June 8, 2007 & June 12, 2007 blog entries, Coping with Deer (to find the entries, type coping with deer in the search box on the right).
And consider writing to your township, county and state legislators to express your desire for the creation and implementation of responsible, science-based deer management.
In the meantime, go to Deer Resistant Plants to find out what deer don't like to eat.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
March 29, 2008
HOME GARDENERS SCHOOL
This is it! Our twelfth annual all day educational event. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from recognized horticultural experts, shop our Marketplace and tour Neumann's historic Convent Gardens. Cost : $45 ($55 after March 14) For more details, call 610-690-2655, visit our website or email: Linda Barry.
April 12, 2008
Peonies
Explore gardening with peonies. Join Eleanor Tickner, owner of A Peony Garden for a discussion about the unabashed "Queens of the Garden." Cost: $10
April 26, 2008
Arbor Day Celebration
Join us at Smedley Park for an afternoon of educational activities for children that are designed to stimulate interest in trees and the environment. We'll provide hands-on experience in planting trees. Contact Elsie Mueller at 610-626-7210 or email for more information.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website
