Front Porch: Embracing the Delights of Gardening and Battling Deer for Dahlias

Gardening has become a delightful adventure in my life. As someone who stumbled upon the joy of grubbing in the dirt well into middle age, I am constantly discovering new and beautiful plants each year. This year, my newfound obsessions are dahlias, Dianthus, and Salvia. While dahlias were a complete surprise to me, I had no idea that Dianthus and Salvia were also stunning flowers waiting to be admired.

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Dianthus, the first flower that caught my eye this spring, immediately found its way into my front yard. What sold me on it was its reputation for being deer resistant – a crucial characteristic for any plant in my garden. This perennial beauty is now thriving under my watchful care, and I’m excited to see it return year after year.

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Salvia, on the other hand, made its appearance in my garden the previous year. Frustrated by the deer outsmarting my various control methods, I sought help from a knowledgeable nursery employee. “Have you tried Salvia?” they asked. Intrigued, I decided to give it a chance. Not only did it ward off the deer successfully, but it also attracted lovely hummingbirds. Learning about its perennial varieties, I wasted no time planting three of these in the deer zone this spring. I feel a renewed sense of hope.

However, the biggest surprise and delight came from dahlias. Last year, a friend offered me a dahlia, which unfortunately happens to be a delicacy for deer. Determined to keep it safe, I decided to grow it in a pot on my deck. Following my friend’s advice, I carefully transferred the dahlia tuber into a larger container and watched as it grew into a magnificent plant with striking red flowers. Although I may not have fertilized it correctly, I was still immensely proud of my accomplishment.

Overwintering the dahlias was a daunting task for me. Learning from my friend Kris, I gingerly wrapped the tuber in plastic wrap and stored it in my cool basement next to jars of applesauce. Neglecting it, I almost forgot about its existence. However, during a recent lunch date with Kris, I eagerly presented my dahlia to her and begged her to inspect it for signs of life. To my utter delight, new growth had emerged. At that moment, I realized that my gardening skills were slowly but surely flourishing.

Now, with my dahlia comfortably planted in the ground, I eagerly await the arrival of three additional dahlias from Kris. She kindly offered me her surplus dahlias, leaving me with the exciting task of selecting the colors. As I ponder the possibilities, I feel like a child in a candy store, overwhelmed by the delightful choices awaiting me.

Elephant Ears: Fascinating Plants that Repel Deer

Laura Pritchett·

Lily

·November 18, 2023·

Gardening has transformed me into one of those women who find solace and happiness in the garden. While I may not spend excessive amounts of time tending to my plants, the time I do dedicate brings me immense pleasure. Well, except for one pesky obstacle—the deer. This year, I decided to up my game and combat them with a low-tech solution. Inspired by the notion that deer dislike the smell of Irish Spring soap, I stuffed chunks of the soap into tea balls and hung them on garden stakes across the geranium zone in my front yard. I cross my fingers, hoping this simple strategy will keep the deer at bay.

As I gaze upon my yard and deck, I can’t help but feel excited about the vibrant and colorful summer that lies ahead. Gardening has become a source of endless delight and surprises, and I eagerly anticipate what the garden has in store for me.

Voices correspondent Stefanie Pettit can be reached by email at [email protected].

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