Here are more ideas for food to grow where deer roam, including rhubarb, sorrel, garlic and culinary herbs. This is part two. For the first part, go to Growing food where deer roam. Rhubarb In the garden, drama queen rhubarb, Zone 5, is also deer and pest resistant, and adapts easily to virtually any spot. I plunk in rhubarb wherever I’m looking for big and bold burst of its … [Read more...] about Food to grow where deer roam
compost
An easy way to make soil
Spring is all about plants, and autumn is a good time to renovate soil and prepare new beds that will be ready for planting as soon as frost leaves the ground. Often these activities begin with ordering several cubic yards of fresh topsoil or triple mix (equal parts topsoil, peat moss and compost) that are delivered and dumped in the driveway, and then must be moved by … [Read more...] about An easy way to make soil
Making happy, healthy soil
Yesterday was my first chance this spring to spend an extended period of time in my yard, which is currently home to dozens of containers and two mostly empty garden beds - one in the front and one in the back. All the back garden bed has is a hosta, lamb’s ears and two mysterious perennials. The front garden is just as empty, with two equally mysterious shrubs. By the end of … [Read more...] about Making happy, healthy soil
Early spring garden cleanup
Even if patches of snow and ice still linger, the early spring garden demands attention. There are ornamental grasses to be cut down and a winter’s worth of tree twigs littering the lawn. The hellebore flower buds are rapidly reaching up for light, but their foliage is lying in brown tatters and needs to be cut back. Very soon the lawn will be firm enough for a good raking, … [Read more...] about Early spring garden cleanup
Easy leaf mulch
Nights are growing cool, a sign that the season is drawing to an end. Green leaves are fading and soon brilliant red, orange and yellow will be revealed. But the show is short, and leaves will soon fall to the ground. That’s our cue to start sweeping them into flowerbeds and compost piles, around the ankles of shrubs and across any exposed soil. The merits of a three- to … [Read more...] about Easy leaf mulch