Acair Fearann

I’ve alluded to the crocus border more than once, after this ridiculous winter (there is still snow out there) it was finally coming up. I’ve also alluded to my interest in some of the more unusual types of crocus. They are also coming up. However, did you know deer like to eat crocus? No, neither did I. They appear to be especially fond of C. sieberi (the Cretan Crocus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus_sieberi) and C. biflorus. And, of course, the young daylilies; preferably the cultivars. The deer also have large feet, what they don’t eat, they step on. So much for that set of flowers.

These same deer are persistently hanging out in the vegetable garden. Actually, the does are hanging about in the vegetable garden; the big buck and a yearling are hanging out in the Big garden (where the tulips are).

The deer, the skunk, the feral cats, the fisher cat (if you recall the Zombie fish episode, the fish survived the winter only to be eaten by the fisher), the raccoons, the possums, the bears….it is getting to be a bit much. And expensive. I love the hawks and the foxes, but not so much the rest. The type of gardening/landscaping we want is running hard up against the animals, all of whom have learned that this is a quiet, food-rich location. Either we have the animals or we have the gardens or?

So what to do? The various repellents are no longer especially effective on our herd (besides, an apparent change in formulation means that they are no longer safe to apply to foliage of broad-leaf evergreens) and can’t be used in a vegetable garden. With the consequence that the tulip beds just got dressed for Halloween. And, of course, none of the other critters are repelled by deer repellents (I bet the bear likes it!)

Step one is clearly some fencing. We can’t spring for deer fencing all the way around (the West Meadow would be a problem). But some level of fence to cut down on the casual stroll.

And likely dog proof. Because, after all there is a reason certain animals were domesticated. And a reason large properties tend to have dogs. Just as they tend to have cats in their houses.

More thought, much more thought is needed; dogs are a lifestyle after all and not cheap. Fence first.

What sort of dog? Collies and Australian Shepherds are high on the list, from past experience with Aussies and enjoying Collies. I admit a certain fascination/fondness with the Beauceron. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauceron) A breed I have only met in person once, the gravest pair of dogs I’ve ever encountered. However, aside from being rare and reputed to be challenging to train, I am not at all sure that other family members would be comfortable with them. Though, they would be useful for security, even if only visually, which is another consideration.

Weighty thoughts. Family members, chime in!

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It is always pleasant, indeed fulfilling, to do work outside. The combination of cold, snow, and wind (and other factors) has meant that I have done very little outside since November.

So getting out there and beginning a much delayed job of pruning the apple trees? Wonderful. I also got the yew pruned. More importantly, I managed to corral the multiflora rose.  Or, A multiflora rose. This particular one had taken over an area next to one of the small cottages. An area where I would like to plant an apple tree. I finally, simply, cut it down. (of course, it is still sitting there on the snow drift) Multiflora rose can easily get to twenty feet in length/height and several inches in diameter; the thorns can go through leather gloves, canvas jackets, and denim. It is a very common plant in New England; technically an invasive, it was originally planted by state highway departments and agricultural agencies to create impenetrable hedgerows and for erosion control on highways. Birds love it, both for the impenetrable tangle it creates and the berries it bears. It can take over an untended meadow within a decade, creating an area devoid of any other plant or animal life.

It has its uses, the flowers (while small) are moderately fragrant and are held in lovely clumps. The berries are small, but elegant, the birds love it. Few other plants will make as good a natural fence. You can Not walk through mature Multiflora rose. You probably can’t drive through it, without a tank.

Be that as it may. I want an apple tree there. Thankfully, it came off the building without damaging it. Still a far ways to go, but then, the apple tree isn’t here yet and the snow is still two feet deep there!

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