Conservatories

During the cold of winter one of the most pleasant activities a gardener can do is to visit a conservatory.  It is quite pleasant wandering through the paths in a conservatory stopping to enjoy the plants and a bit of warm out of the winter weather.  The peace and lush growth soothes the soul while the mind comes alive with all the possibilities for the up coming growing season.  What I really

A Pen for the Wife

I purchased a couple of Lime Green blanks for my wife and I from exotic blanks and I created this for her today.  I hope she likes it.

Deer Resistant Landscapes and Deer Control

There is a growing concern over deer as homeowners are having their landscapes destroyed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the issue of deer damage is appearing on town council agendas. Citizens are asking for the town's help to control the deer.

I don't live in the city limits of Chapel Hill, so I have no opinion on what the town should/should not do regarding the deer pressure for the residents. I don't have a vote there. Nonetheless, I do empathize as it is a sensitive and controversial topic on both sides of the deer fence.

My gardens (and house) began as acres of meadow and woodland. When we bought this property we knew deer would be a problem. They slept in the meadow every night before we built, and still sleep there every night since. I had to become an expert in deer resistant gardening and landscaping.

During our first year (2005), we counted twenty deer crossing our front meadow at the same time. Every year since, 3-5 fawns have been born here.

Last night as my husband and I were pulling into the neighborhood and had to wait for a few deer to cross the road, we remarked at how we recognize those deer! No, we haven't named them. We don't love them. We don't hate them. We had to learn to co-exist.


Now, imagine that you've lived in your neighborhood for many years without any deer damage to your landscape. You never had to worry about deer resistant shrubs and you could grow deer delicacies like hostas and roses.

As deer populations grew and as neighborhoods, businesses and roads took up more and more land, the deer moved into your previously deer-free yard in search of food. Your landscape is being picked clean by deer. The costs are huge and the emotional upset runs deep.

There isn't one solution for protecting existing landscapes. It may take a combination of methods that include fencing, herd culling, repellents and/or replacing shrubs and plants with deer resistant varieties. None of which are inexpensive.

The point that I've learned from this is - things change with the forces of nature. Wind, rain, drought, ice... and animals.

Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel.

A Sunday Meme

1. Where is your cell phone? Currently in my left-side pants pocket.


2. Your hair? past my shoulders

3. Your mother? loving/understanding

4. Your father? always there

5. Your favorite food? lasagna/stuffed shells

6. Your dream last night? bad

7. Your favorite drink? Starbucks Carmel or Spiced Pumpkin Frap.

8. Your dream/goal? Become a PR

9. What room are you in? hotel room

10. Your

Gearing Up for Spring

My gosh!  Coming up with something garden related to write about in January is difficult.  There is little going on besides garden planning and browsing through the seed catalogues.  I usually let the indoor garden dwindle as we take a 7 to 10 day vacation each January so like to reduce the indoor temperature as low as possible while gone.  Any cold hardy indoor plants are fine as one of the kids

Fountain Pen

Here is the latest Fountain Pen that I made this weekend.

I am very happy with the way it turned out.  I think this is going to be a nice pen.  Just trying to figure out if it will be a gift or a personal pen.

Coffee Table Complete

I got all the clear coats on and they are dried.  I have it in the house and think it looks pretty good.

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