Garden Maintenance

Pest Management
Plants Deer Usually Avoid Eating
Media Coverage Chart
Fertilizer

Pest Management

Animal Pests
Deer, rabbits, squirrels, dogs and cats all mean trouble to the gardener. While no one likes to find that something was digging in their garden, or using it for a litter box, finding our plants eaten really makes us angry. Fortunately, today we have many choices for possible solutions. There are numerous chemical repellants and deterrents as well as a number of organic products that work very well at keeping pests away. There are also a number of plants that pests tend to avoid.

Chemical Repellants
There are many chemical repellants available as sprays, powders and granules to use on or around the garden. Hinder uses ammonium soaps and is labeled for use on any plant. Deer-Away is made from putrescent egg solids and is labeled for use on trees and shrubs. Ropel is another spray that can be applied to most plants and works by taste and smell. As with most of these products, repellants need to be reapplied often. If dogs or cats are the problem, there are many products to spray on or sprinkle around your plants that will help keep them out of the garden.

Organics
These repellants are relatively new to the gardening scene. Among the favorites here is Milorganite fertilizer. This organic lawn and garden fertilizer is made from Milwaukee’s wastewater treatment process and has a distinct odor that seems to deter deer and rabbits (fortunately humans cannot smell it after it has been applied). It also has the added benefit of being beneficial to your lawn and garden. Coyote and fox urines also work well on many different rodents and pests. They use the animals’ natural fear of predators to trick them into staying away. These products are used by saturating a cotton ball and placing it near your plants. The odor tricks the pest into believing that a natural predator is in the area and they need to stay clear.

Another possible solution is fencing. There are many forms of fencing that are both attractive and useful for keeping the unwanted out of our yards and gardens.

Plants
There is a long list of plants that animals do not like to eat. Dahlias, marigolds and zinnias, to name a few, are plants that few animals like to eat. The plant odor and flavor is not favorable to the palate. Planting these plants around the garden or yard is a great way to deter pests from entering your garden. Deer never eat ornamental grasses and don’t usually eat herbs or plants with a strong fragrance or bristly texture.

Insecticides
There are many choices depending on the type of plant we are treating and the type of pest we want to control.

• Systemic pesticides are absorbed by the plant and ingested by the bug eating the plant, resulting in death. Systemic pesticides should not be used on vegetable or fruit crops except as recommended by the manufacturer.

• Contact pesticides stay on the surface of the plant and are absorbed by the bug coming in contact with the chemical. These types are easily washed off fruits and vegetables to make them safe to eat.

• Organic pesticides are safe mixtures derived from plants, and usually pose no threat to humans or animals. Organics seldom kill insects but rather repel them since they are made from something that the insect does not like (Hot Pepper Wax).

Fungicides
These chemicals help to cure or control diseases on plants. Not all diseases can be cured, but the spread to other plants or even other parts of the diseased plant can be prevented by the use of fungicides. Control of a disease can eliminate the need to destroy and/or replace a plant.

Again, always follow the manufacturers directions when using any chemical.

Plants Deer Usually Avoid Eating

Media Coverage Chart

Bagged Goods:

Mulch:
2 CU. FT………16-17 BAGS = 1 YARD
3 CU. FT…..……9 BAGS =1 YARD

Soil:
40LB……21-22 BAGS = 1YARD

Bark is a good weed barrier. Cyprus and Cedar are good moisture retainers. Coco bean looks good, smells good, and brakes down in 1 season so it adds organic matter to the soil.

Fertilizer

What’s in plant food?
The three essential nutrients in plant food are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Each plays a role in building healthy plants. Nitrogen encourages growth of leaves and stems while phosphorus and potassium increase flowering and root growth. Plant foods are labeled according to the percentages of each of the ingredients they contain, always in the same order: N-P-K. The label indicates the relative amounts of the three essential nutrients with an analysis formula (for example: 15-30-15, 10-10-10, or some other combination).

Selecting a plant food
There are several types of plant foods. Different concentrations are used to achieve different results or meet different needs. Be sure to read the label of the product that you choose to purchase for more information on how to apply it. Check out our fertilizer aisle for a variety of products.

Granular Complete Plant Food
This type of plant food contains a mix of instantly available and controlled release nutrients. They are often formulated for specific plants. This type should be scattered on the surface or worked into the soil. Water the soil after spreading.

Water Soluble Plant Food
This type of plant food starts feeding almost instantly through the foliage and roots. To apply this type, mix it with water.

Slow-Release Plant Food
This type of plant food is easy to use and feeds slowly and steadily for up to three months. This type should be applied directly into the planting hole and the soil should be watered thoroughly after applying.

Organic products such as Cow Manure, Blood Meal or Bone Meal are available and should be worked into the soil before planting.