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Comment by Idaho Spud 12 hours ago

Funny sign Don.

Comment by Daniel W 13 hours ago

Joan, I hope someone else can tell you.  The function for editing size seems to have disappeared from my browser.

Comment by Daniel W 14 hours ago

Western mule deer are voraceous and prolific.  Feeding them attracts them.  We discussed electric fencing butbit would be expensive.  Most deterrents dont work or are temporary.  Fencing is the main protection, or just grow things they dont eat.  Here they usually dont browse above 5 feet alhough they eat favored branches up to 7 feet by standing on hind legs.  sprinklers dont deter them.  they eat most young fruit trees, and many vegetables, to near oblivion.  deer in washington state

rabbits also can take an entire row of young beans, sweet corn, onions, overnight.  Voles kill young trees during tge winter by chewing off all of the bark.  Screening sleeve works above ground but they also use mole tunnels to do the same underground. 

My young fruit trees are in cages that work pretty well, but with 50 trees is a challenge.  Ive removed cages now for taller cherries and plums now, 6 years old trees.  that maked maintenance easier.  Dwarf apples may always need cages.  I think I can de-cage the persimmons in another year or two.  They dont bother the older fig trees a lot, just minor damage.

Joan, that is all at the Battleground place. 

Ive learned pretty much what needs protection or what doesnt, although sometimes I get surprises.  I have no problems sharing with wildlife, but they often take it all.

Here, they dont bother evergreens, except arborvitae, they dont touch maples, or ginkgos, limited tasting of mulberries, fig trees, lindens, and I havent given them a chance with my chestnuts.  They dont eat pumpkin or squash plants, or corn above a foot tall, onions or garlic above a foot tall, or potato plants.  They completely destroy all traces of all bean plants, carrots, peppers, some tomatoes.  They dont bother collard greens, turnips, radishes.

Comment by Don 15 hours ago

Comment by Don 16 hours ago

Joan, those little yellow flowers are hawkweed.  And the meadow is just a lot of wild field plants (clover, fireweed, plantains, dandelion, wild strawberry, campion, Queen Anne's lace, and various grasses that I keep mown.  Those birch logs are one stalk of the gray birch nearby, which I took down because it was bending into the path.  It's a short-lived tree.

Here in Vermont, Thomas, feeding the deer would be illegal.  But numerous as they are, the deer are not to much of a problem for most gardeners.  They do sometimes damage young trees, especially in the winter.  

Comment by Randall Smith 16 hours ago

New computer and crumby keyboard, so bear with me. 

On wildlife, it's rabbits and  'coons that are the bane of my garden existance (see Wildlife group post).

Beautiful home and setting,  Don!

Joan, as soon as I replace this keyboard, I'll answer your question.

Comment by Joan Denoo yesterday

Loren, or anyone who has any brains left, mine have evaporated into the ether. 

How do I change the dimensions of a video 

from 640 x 360

to     500 x

Comment by Joan Denoo yesterday

Randy, how is your garden doing? What are your major challenges at this time of year? 

Is the farm recoveing? With all the flooding and weather problems they had, it is no wonder they were overwhelmed. With your wise guidance and their experiences, I hope the future is easier. 

Hi Kathy, just checking in. Hope you are well and have few challenges to complicate your summer. 

Comment by Joan Denoo yesterday

Daniel, your formidable wildlife challenge seems overwhelming for the gardener in me. The part of me that enjoys wildlife makes it a very special place. Your inventory of deer, birds, rabbits, and I suppose a mouse, squirrel, and mole or two must add to the rascals to keep from your fine produce. Do you have as many problems at your Battle Ground property?

 

Comment by Joan Denoo yesterday

I seem to be settling into a new normal as I look out my window to the growing boxes and see healthy, rebust weeds growing out of the carefully prepared beds with layers of composted manure. I have neither the energy nor the strength to even visit the boxes. What I do have left are the birdfeeders that attracted several families of birds; they flitter back and forth between the feeders and the forest leaving a trail of their droppings that turn the meadow green under their fleight pattern. 

I am becoming a better driver of my wheelchair and I am determined not to leave any marks on the furniture, walls, or cabinets. 

The fellows are all busy with building projects and clearing forest for fire safety I haven't asked for help to the greenhouse. The snow took down several sheds and roofs last winter and these projects take a team of rebuilders. 

I am getting stronger with less pain in my foot and ankle. I should be up and walking around very soon. I do my exercises every day and keep my foot elevated on pillows night & day. I tried, unsuccessfully, to walk to the bathroom this morning so I will keep at the exercises, ice packs, and elevated foot. 

Don, your gardens inspire me every year; I long for the days when I could put in a good day's work and turn out beautiful gardens. I give up that dream and enjoy seeing your work, Daniels, and any photos of gardens and progress. You have a lovely meadow, Don, with a pretty yellow blossom; what is growing there? The photo looking through the deciduous trees toward your house looks calm and relaxing, even though there is sign of hard work with the stack of cut wood. 

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