Gardening and wildlife

[Stjohns3269]

Doing a bit of wishful thinking and day dreaming of spring. I've noticed a lot of wildlife in our yard. Everything from Deer, rabbits, foxes and a groundhog who apparently lives under our shed.

What plants do you guys grow that are attractive that the locals won't destroy?

I'm thinking particularly flowers and vegetables but we need some smaller shrubs and bushes too.

Thanks

 

[Chris0nllyn]

Is the area full or partial sun, or shady?

I'm in a similar situation and had a landscape designer come out to give us a hand. My area is shady.

Here's some of the plants recommended to me:

• Turtlehead (Chelone)
• Fountaingrass (Pennisetum)
• Coneflower (Echinacea)
• Agastache
• Heuchera
• Daylilies
• Tulips

We're going for a "cottage style" garden and while not everything on that list is deer resistant, some are.

 

[GWguy]

Deer will eat anything. Literally. And when done eating, lay down and nap in the garden squashing everything.

 

[frequentflier]

If you are interested in planting to benefit wildlife, try to use native plants. Most stores are full of non native crap. What county do you reside in?

 

[Stjohns3269]

My yard is mostly sunny. I have seen deer sitting in the exact spot i had planned for the vegetable garden and there is deer poop everywhere!.

We are in Calvert. We are right on the bay so one side is pretty sandy soil with cactus and Yucca and other native species ( i think).

The other non bay side is mostly lawn with some shrubs and bushes.

The old owner said they had a vegetable garden with chicken wire around He and came out to find the groundhog stuck and hanging upside down in it. They freed him but he has a limp now.

 

[frequentflier]

There is a cooperative extension office in Prince Frederick that may be able to help and give you literature on native plantings. You are lucky to have a lot of sun; my property is shaded and it is difficult to grow a lot of the plants I have for pollinators and butterflies.

 

[Stjohns3269]

There is a cooperative extension office in Prince Frederick that may be able to help and give you literature on native plantings. You are lucky to have a lot of sun; my property is shaded and it is difficult to grow a lot of the plants I have for pollinators and butterflies.

I know we have a conservation easement on part of the property but i'd love to attract pollinators where possible. Great suggestion . Thanks

 

[Auntie Biache']

Doing a bit of wishful thinking and day dreaming of spring. I've noticed a lot of wildlife in our yard. Everything from Deer, rabbits, foxes and a groundhog who apparently lives under our shed.

What plants do you guys grow that are attractive that the locals won't destroy?

I'm thinking particularly flowers and vegetables but we need some smaller shrubs and bushes too.

Thanks

Personally, I wouldn't encourage critters to come in my yard. You're inviting ticks.

 

[Stjohns3269]

Personally, I wouldn't encourage critters to come in my yard. You're inviting ticks.

Why do you think i said i was encouraging critters to come into my yard?

 

[Goldenhawk]

If you actually want to garden, think seriously about putting up a fence to keep the deer and rabbits out. But just give up about the squirrels; they'll eat your tomatoes no matter what you do, and you just have to plant more than you need.

 

[frequentflier]

I know we have a conservation easement on part of the property but i'd love to attract pollinators where possible. Great suggestion . Thanks

I have seeds I can share with you if you are interested.

 

[Stjohns3269]

I have seeds I can share with you if you are interested.

Definitely That would be great.

 

[Stjohns3269]

HAHA Ok. I've always assumed I would have some losses to nature when gardening. I haven't seen too many squirrels yet but i am sure they are around .

 

[Auntie Biache']

Why do you think i said i was encouraging critters to come into my yard?

I read it again. I misunderstood. Thought you were trying to attract wildlife.

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

Between the deer, rabbits and groundhog you have the full squad of "Let's eat anything green" animals. The rabbits and groundhog will finish off any small transplants while the deer will hit those and anything larger.

My oldest daughter lives outside Leonardtown and has two very old and very large pear trees. There won't be a pear below 8 or 9 feet above the ground on either tree. Ever.

The deer also reach over her 6 foot tall garden fence and nip the tops off anything they can reach while the groundhogs and rabbits try to burrow under the bottom of the fence which is buried in the ground.

 

[ReadingTheNews]

I had to install an electric fence to keep the deer out of my lilies.
I may electrify the bird feeder post next, just to keep the squirrels off of it!

 

[Stjohns3269]

Sounds like I have quite the fight on my hands come spring.

 

[Yooper]

If you are going to vegetable garden and something like corn is in your plans, let me +1 the comment (above) on deer fencing. We've had to go 8-10 ft high to keep the deer out! The previous 6-ft fence was easily jumped over!

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