March Newsletter 2024
Arrival of Spring
“March, thou month of varied weather!
Mild and frigid joined together—
”Winter,” amorous poets sing,
”Ling’ring in the lap of Spring.””
The weeks before spring are an exciting time. Glimpses of warm weather and the smell of thawing ground can be great reminders of what we’re looking forward to in the coming seasons. We’ve been thinking about this ourselves and are in the office working on just that.
Deer are a common problem in New Hampshire gardens, and they can cause some real damage. If you’ve noticed any frayed breakage on stems or stripped foliage in shrubs or trees above the snow, deer could be seeking a meal in your gardens during winter. They are partial to new shoots, particularly on evergreens, which are staples in many gardens we care for. Whether on the woodland edge or in a foundational garden, we know you’re looking forward to seeing these plants bloom first thing in spring, so here are some suggestions if you notice any damage through the winter.
A simple diluted cocktail of soap and cayenne pepper or any hot sauce you’ve been holding onto that you’re unsure of what to do with. The smell alone can help keep them away, but if they do try it out, the spice can help keep them from coming back for that plant. Hanging fragrant soap around important or vulnerable plants can help ward off any deer browsing for a snack as well. Both of these can also be helpful to keep up with during the season if you know these hungry animals come back regardless of season. If this doesn’t seem to help, we would recommend hiring a pest control expert. For deer, there are local businesses who will spray these plants with a non-toxic deterrent that lasts several months.
We hope you are as excited for spring to begin as we are, especially after this winter. If you have any ideas or concerns you’d like to address before we start in on spring tasks, please reach out!
The Garden Life Team
