HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-05-02, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013.
9 Rattenbury St. E., Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
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visible. Deer may not be able to
forage for food effectively in their
smaller, natural surroundings, or
they may become accustomed to the
“easy pickings” they find in
neighbourhood yards. Either way,
you may encounter a deer in or
around your area.
Keeping deer at bay involves some
work and maintenance on the part of
a homeowner. There are safe and
humane methods to repelling deer,
or at least blocking access to the
plants worth protecting. Here are the
main ways to deer-proof a garden.
Fence It: Fences are one way to
deter deer from entering a yard and
dining on your garden. Keep in mind
that deer can jump fences that are
quite tall, but they have to be
especially motivated to jump an
eight-foot-tall fence. Still, they tend
to be wary about scaling a fence
when they cannot see what is on the
other side. Therefore, if you are
fencing out deer, choose a fence that
camouflages the garden well and
completely encloses the area to be
protected. If you do not want the
fence to be solid, consider putting
stakes or thorny plants within the
garden so that the deer will hesitate
to jump into the garden.
Scare Them: Deer are naturally
skittish around people, but over time
they can become quite complacent
around human beings. Once a deer
decides that something will not
present a threat, the deer can adapt to
its presence.
Motion-activated devices may not
work, nor the presence of pets.
Predator urine is typically an
effective way at keeping deer at bay.
Bottled coyote urine can be quite
effective, although human urine may
work as well. Reapplying the
product weekly around the plants is
a good idea.
Repel the Deer: There are many
organic or chemically-based
products on the market that deer may
find offensive to the taste or smell.
Hot pepper, sulfur and eggs or
even the use of soapy water have
been successful in certain instances.
The use of blood meal or even
human hair around the garden may
repel the deer and keep them on a
different foraging path. However,
remember that any deer that is very
hungry may ignore unpleasant tastes
or smells for a quick bite.
Change Plants:If other food
sources are available, there are some
species of plants and trees that deer
will avoid. Filling your garden with
these plants can help you maintain a
beautiful, albeit untasty,
environment for deer.
When planting annuals, select
among:
• Alyssum
• Begonias
• Calendula
• Celosia
• Dianthus
• Foxglove
• Geraniums
• Parsley
• Poppy
• Snapdragons
In terms of perennials, plant these
items once, and deer could stay
away:
• Ageratum
• Anemone
• Astibe
• Bearded iris
• Catmint
• Honeysuckle
• Lantana
• Monkshood
• Rock rose
• Rosemary
• Soapwort
• Wisteria
Plant these herbs alongside
flowers for even more protection:
• Chives
• Eucalyptus
• Garlic
• Mint
• Thyme
• Wintergreen
Gardeners who use a combination
of methods to keep deer out of their
yards and gardens may have a higher
success rate at deterring these
animals.
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Sulfur, eggs can keep deer away
Tips and tricks to prepare your deck for warm weatherMS –Few things are better thanhaving a functional and beautifuloutdoor space to entertain guests.Having a great outdoor spaceenables a person to host parties orintimate gatherings all year long.Establishing an entertaining spaceand maintaining that space areessential when planning anotheryear of fun in the sun.There are many things
homeowners can do to ensure their
entertaining space is safe and
functional. As the season
approaches, include some
landscaping and decorating
components to your preparatory
plans to make the space as
comfortable and aesthetically
appealing as possible.
Here are a few key tips for
readying your yard for entertaining
possibilities. Expand on these basics
to customize an area for your unique
needs.
• Check the area for any needed
repairs. Prior to your first
entertaining session, look over the
deck or patio to take note of any
flaws that may present safety
hazards. Are there any loose
railings? Are all screws and nails
flush so they do not cause tripping?
Are there any cracks in concrete or
loose patio blocks? Be sure to
remedy all of the repairs needed to
ensure guests will be safe. If you are unsure of any structural deficits, consult with acontractor.• Hire a reputable contractor. Ifyou are just laying the groundworkfor a new patio or deck, it isimportant to get the necessarypermits and then hire a person whohas been properly vetted. Checkqualifications and licensing before
hiring a contractor and ask to view a
portfolio of his or her previous work.
Word-of-mouth recommendations
from trusted friends and family
members are good.
• Think about closing in a portion
of a deck or patio. The use of a
canopy, netting or even greenery to
protect an entertaining space can
help minimize weather-related
damage to outdoor furniture. Netting
will keep a good number of biting
insects at bay when the weather is
warm and humid. Having a bit of
concealment also means you can
create a private space that isn’t easily
viewed by neighbours or passersby.
• Plan well-defined areas. Just as
rooms serve different purposes
inside of the home, outdoor areas
can be separated according to usage.
Establish a sitting nook where guests
can gather and talk. Have a bar or
serving area where refreshments are
made and served. Make sure there is
a shaded area for when the sun is toouncomfortable to make sittingoutside enjoyable. Similarly, have asunny area where people can soak upa few rays or dry off after a dip in thespa or pool. Don’t forget to establisha spot for the kids to converge withscaled-down amenities.• Consider a fireplace or fire pit.For centuries man (and woman) hasgathered around fire for socialization
and a means to warming up. Having
a backyard fireplace, pit or chiminea
is a conversation-starter, a decorative
focal point, and a functional tool to
extend the number of seasons in
which outdoor entertaining can take
place. Place the fire wisely and with
concern for safety. It should be out
of the way of foot traffic, but central
enough so that it can be a gathering
point.
• Invest in quality outdoor
furniture. Today’s yards are
extensions of a home’s interior.
Guests no longer want to sit on
uncomfortable metal or plastic
furniture. There are many different
outdoor sofas and chairs that are as
stylish as they are comfortable.
These pieces can be matched to the
decor inside your home for a
cohesive look.
• Don’t be afraid to accessorize.
Consider the creature comforts of
indoors and mimic that outdoors.
Don’t shy away from hangingartwork on an exterior wall or usingurns or pottery to decorate the space.Weather-resistant materials ensureeverything from clocks to televisionscan be used outdoors. Think about having an entire set of serving dishesand other entertaining items for theoutdoors.When refurbishing outdoorentertaining areas, emphasizecomfort, safety and functionality.
Dave Franken
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