It’s spring and I dare to dream of gardens.
I envisage flowers of all sorts; gladiolus, dahlias, hostas, peonies, zinnias gloriously blooming and an extraordinary vegetable garden to outdo last years’ late crop. Peas, string beans, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, broccoli, winter squash, and a few exotics, i.e. African eggplant and okra.
I'm ready to stand up to the odds for success, battle the forces of nature and confront my competitors, namely, the Deer Island deer. I’ll bravely plant and pleadfully pray to harvest a full garden on Deer Island. (I know it’s hard for God to pick sides in this situation.)
Fortification and diligent monitoring are necessary tools to fend off our friendly foes. Garden hoes, good soil, fertilizer, string, fencing (several varieties), twist ties, poles, scissors, and good planning based on last years’ loss and wins provide the gardens’ fuel and security. Extra muscle and yoga are essentials. Oh, and add on the wisdom of social media garden sages - they know everything.
It’s time to start. I gingerly gather together my new seeds from Veseys (my preferred brand) and my hoarded seedling planters from the garage. I carefully spoon rooting soil into the small starter containers like I level flour into a measuring cup. I form tiny holes in the soil in which to drop a few of the precious seeds. Celeriac seeds have been soaked in water for 24 hours on a small plate. I catch three seeds on a small spoon each time and coax them into their tiny home spaces. It’s an intricate process and I’m exhausted.
Brave tulips and crocuses have emerged from their fall planting and their dependence on me to keep them safe from local grazers is palatable. Blockades are in place. Weeds have been highly discouraged by exposing their roots to the sun and tossing them in a refuse heap, each time with an utterance of disgust.
What about “deer resistant” varieties, you may ask? Wouldn’t it be easier, less exasperating? No tears, easier on the BP and more balcony time would be definite benefits. Well, to start, this is a disputed brand. If you want to make a Deer Island local person laugh very hard, go ahead and make the suggestion. Or, ask at retail stores on the mainland selling seasonal plants, for this particular brand. You may hear as I did, loud retorts from the service people, “there is NO SUCH THING!’ Yes, to be sure, there are those plants and flowers, which are avoided by the Munchers. My take on this is, they’ve either made a deal with the devil or the deer and it’s better to just leave it be and enjoy what is.
Brave on, Gardeners!
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