Gardening is Good Therapy

Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of it. But did you know that all over the country the healing aspects of gardening are being used as therapy or as an adjunct to therapy?

Although this might sound like a new concept, garden therapy has been around for decades. For example, the Garden Therapy Program at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, and in regional hospitals in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Rome, Thomasville and Savannah, has been helping people for over 40 years through gardening activities known as social and therapeutic horticulture.

Gardening

So what exactly is social and therapeutic horticulture (or garden therapy)?

According to the article "Your future starts here: practitioners determine the way ahead" from Growth Point (1999) volume 79, pages 4-5, horticultural therapy is the use of plants by a trained professional as a medium through which certain clinically defined goals may be met. "...Therapeutic horticulture is the process by which individuals may develop well-being using plans and horticulture. This is achieved by active or passive involvement."

Although the physical benefits of garden therapy have not yet been fully realized through research, the overall benefits are almost overwhelming. For starters, gardening therapy programs result in increased elf-esteem and self-confidence for all participants.

Social and therapeutic horticulture also develops social and work skills, literacy and numeric skills, an increased sense of general well-being and the opportunity for social interaction and the development of independence. In some instances it can also lead to employment or further training or education. Obviously different groups will achieve different results.

Groups recovering from major illness or injury, those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health problems, older people, offenders and those who misuse drugs or alcohol, can all benefit from the therapeutic aspects of gardening as presented through specific therapy related programs. In most cases, those that experience the biggest impact are vulnerable or socially excluded individuals or groups, including the ill, the elderly, and those kept in secure locations, such as hospitals or prisons.

One important benefit to using social and therapeutic horticulture is that traditional forms of communication aren't always required. This is particularly important for stroke patients, car accident victims, those with cerebral palsy, aphasia or other illnesses or accidents that hinder verbal communication. Gardening activities lend themselves easily to communicative disabled individuals. This in turn builds teamwork, self-esteem and self-confidence, while encouraging social interaction.

Another group that clearly benefits from social and therapeutic horticulture are those that misuse alcohol or substances and those in prison. Teaching horticulture not only becomes a life skill for these individuals, but also develops a wide range of additional benefits.

Social and therapeutic horticultures gives these individuals a chance to participate in a meaningful activity, which produces food, in addition to creating skills relating to responsibility, social skills and work ethic.

The same is true for juvenile offenders. Gardening therapy, as vocational horticulture curriculum, can be a tool to improve social bonding in addition to developing improved attitudes about personal success and a new awareness of personal job preparedness.

The mental benefits don't end there. Increased abilities in decision-making and self-control are common themes reported by staff in secure psychiatric hospitals. Reports of increased confidence, self-esteem and hope are also common in this environment.

Prison staff have also noticed that gardening therapy improves the social interaction of the inmates, in addition to improving mutual understanding between project staff and prisoners who shared outdoor conditions of work.

It's interesting that studies in both hospitals and prisons consistently list improving relationships between participants, integrating with the community, life skills and ownership as being some of the real benefits to participants.

But in addition to creating a myriad of emotional and social benefits, the health benefits of being outdoors, breathing in fresh air and doing physical work cannot be overlooked. In most studies, participants noted that fresh air, fitness and weight control where prime benefits that couldn't be overlooked.

Although unable to pin down a solid reason, studies have shown that human being posses an innate attraction to nature. What we do know, is that being outdoors creates feelings of appreciation, tranquility, spirituality and peace. So it would seem, that just being in a garden setting is in itself restorative. Active gardening only heightens those feelings.

With so many positive benefits to gardening, isn't it time you got outside and started tending to your garden? Next time you are kneeling in fresh dirt to pull weeds or plant a new variety of a vegetable or flower, think about the tranquility you feel while being outdoors in your garden. Let the act of gardening sooth and revitalize you. Soak up the positive benefits of tending to your own garden.

If you have someone in your life that could benefit from garden therapy, contact your local health unit to find out more about programs in your area. Not only will the enjoyment of gardening help bond you together, but it will also create numerous positive mental and physical benefits for both of you.

So get gardening today for both your physical and mental health. You'll enjoy the experience so much that you'll immediately thank yourself.

Gardening is Good Therapy

Valerie Giles operates the Grow Your Own Garden Website which focuses on gardening products, flower and vegetable seeds, patio furniture and garden accessories. Everything ou need for the gardening season.

http://www.grow-your-own-garden.com

Perennial Flowers - Tips For Growing Your Perennial Flower Garden

So, you are thinking about starting a new flower garden, but don't know where to begin? Perennial flowers make an excellent choice for a beautiful flower display, but in order to create a garden with the most impact, there are many factors to consider before planting your perennial flower garden.

Site Selection

Garden

When selecting a site for a perennial flower garden, you should be certain that it receives enough sunlight. Most perennial flowers thrive on six hours of sunlight a day or more. If you are stuck with a shady place, however, you can still grow some perennial flowers. You will just need to be careful of which varieties you choose, and make sure they are shade tolerant.

You also need to consider soil quality and drainage in your proposed perennial flower garden site. Avoid planting in areas with an abundance of weeds, as they will compete with the perennial flowers for needed nutrients and water. You should also avoid areas that have poor drainage. While perennial flowers will be able to survive in a wet area for a short period of time after a rain or watering, they will not survive in an area where there is standing water for long periods of time. Ideally, the soil in your perennial flower garden site will also be fluffy and rich, but if not, try to incorporate sufficient compost into the soil before you plant your flowers.

You should also consider foot traffic and children and pet play habits in the area you are considering establishing your perennial flower bed. Try to avoid planting your perennial flowers in an area where they will be trampled underfoot.

Flower Selection

Perennial flowers come in a wide array of colors, shapes and types, and the perennial flower gardener may quickly be overwhelmed by choices. One tip for making your flower selection is to consider how colors combine. Try not to choose flowers whose colors may clash (such as orange and pink), and instead focus on complementary colors in your garden (pinks and blues often make a beautiful combination).

You should also consider the height of different flower species. Try to make sure a tall perennial flower you have selected does not hide a smaller one behind it.

Finally, pay attention to the blooming period of the perennial flowers you are selecting. Most perennial flowers have a short blooming period lasting from two to four weeks, and for maximum impact you should coordinate the blooming periods of different perennial flowers.

Growing Habits of Perennial Flowers

If you are starting your perennial flowers from seed, you should be aware that it is unlikely you will see any flowers during their first year of growth. This is because most perennial flowers will put all their energy into root and plant growth during the first year, but during the second year (and future years) you can expect a beautiful display. If you do not think you have the patience to wait a full two years to see flowers, consider planting some annuals with your perennials so that you will have some color in your garden during the first year.

You can also try using transplants you first year, in order to get your perennial flower garden off to a quick start. If you decide to use transplants, try to select plants that are not in bloom when you plant them, since this is not a good time to establish them in your garden. Also avoid transplants that have pale or yellow stems and leaves. Try to do your transplanting on a day which is relatively cool and overcast for the best results, and be sure to water the plants well after transplanting and continue watering until the plants have become well established.

Although starting a new garden can be a challenge, by following the few suggestions outlined above, you should be well on your way to creating a beautiful, and long lasting, perennial flower garden.

Perennial Flowers - Tips For Growing Your Perennial Flower Garden

Michelle Day is an avid gardener currently living in the Pacific Northwest. You can read more about perennial flowers on her Perennial Gardening Blog.

Types of Fencing That You Can Use for Your Garden

Most houses of today are seen with a lawn or gardening plot that can be well utilized in a decorative manner to add beauty and splendor to a house. If you also have a vacant space by the side of your house, then how about planting some vegetables and flower plants that will not only make it a riot of colors but also be an enticing time pass for you.

If you nurture the hobby of gardening, you must be aware that without proper fencing system, an open garden is always prone to various troubles, thus destroying all your efforts and hard works. To help you better, here we will be discussing about the various types of garden fencing that you can opt for to make your garden safe and pleasing to look at:

Garden

Garden fences can be made of various things such as wood, iron, bamboo and vinyl as per your taste, need, convenience and budget. Each of these options can be used rightly and creatively to make your garden fence a thing to admire.

Garden fencing made of wood: Is your home styled to look like a cottage? If 'yes' then a garden with wooden fencing will look real good, thus emphasizing a rustic and rural feel. Moreover, for people who do not have a lot of financial support and have to maintain a tight budget, wooden fencing is the best option that can be designed in style within a cost effective price rate. Take a search through your local market and you will come across a lot of readymade wooden fences that you can use. But make sure to check it well as wooden fences need extra care to avoid rot and decay.

Bamboo for garden fencing: If you want to add an extra feel of nature's touch to your garden, bamboo garden fencing is the right option for you. Not only it helps add an exotic feel, bamboo is also environment friendly and natural. You will find a lot of stores that sell bamboo fencing and will also help you get enhanced about the right ways of maintenance. Bamboo being a natural product, demands for more care and concern in order to avoid getting ruined and destroyed.

Vinyl fencing: Last but not the least; vinyl can also be used as garden fencing for those who want fencing solution for their garden in budget cost. Liked by many over bamboo and wooden fences, vinyl fences are easy to maintain and resistant to all types of environmental troubles. If you are living in hilly areas where harsh weather is a part and parcel of living, vinyl garden fencing is the solution for you to depend.

Other elements that are also widely used to make fences for gardens are wrought iron which can be designed in various shapes and sizes as per need. Chain link style is the most prominently used design of garden fencing that can be restructured in accordance to the size and shape of your garden.

Types of Fencing That You Can Use for Your Garden

singhfab.com.au is a perfect website through which you can get all your queries regarding gates and fences and garden fencing in Australia.

Find Peace And Happiness Through Gardening

Gardening is a wonderful and relaxing hobby enjoyed by many all over the world. People who enjoy gardening often feel a deep-rooted sense of calm and tranquility, and they also forge a stronger connection with nature.

There are many types and forms of gardening. Organic gardening is a unique method of gardening and allows the gardener to really bond with Mother Nature. Organic gardening really gets down to the basics of growing fruits and vegetables, using only what Mother Nature provides. Container gardening is another way of gardening and allows many people who do not have their own garden to still enjoy gardening using pots and containers.

Gardening

Container gardening is a great way to decorate and accentuate your house and your outdoor area. Plant containers such as clay urns, metal pans, terra cotta pots, wine tubs, wood boxes, bath tubs, glass bowls, wire baskets, sisal rope planters, cement hollows etc. all work well. You want to be sure to have an assortment of beautiful flowers and plants of varying heights as well as shapes and textures when planning your garden.

Organic gardening requires much more attention and involvement in the whole process. When you grow the plants organically, you do not add any artificial or chemical substances to the soil to avoid their negative health consequences. In organic gardening natural compost is needed to fertilize the soil. Natural compost is derived from plant, fruit or kitchen waste and contains no harmful chemical pesticides in it.

Whether you go for container gardening or organic gardening, the preparation and gardening methods are pretty similar. After you decide on what type of gardening you want to do, prepare your spot and soil for planting. You must remove all weeds, grass, stones, etc using various gardening supplies or herbicides. When this is completed, you can plow the planting area and add nutrients such as manure, compost, peat or sand to the soil. If your soil is too sandy, you will need to add compost to give it the necessary nutrients it needs.

Gardening supplies are essential for good gardening. They make gardening easy, and there are certain gardening supplies that gardeners find indispensable, including gloves, spade, scissors, pruners, levelers etc. Make sure to buy good quality gardening supplies for ease of use, such as gardening gloves made of high quality leather, and gardening spades or pruners made of stainless steel.

Find Peace And Happiness Through Gardening

To learn more about Gardening, visit Susan's sites at love-gardening.info [http://www.love-gardening.info], gardening-club.info and gardening-fun.info.

Homemade Water Garden Fountains

Making a homemade garden fountain can be quite a simple task. You can also build quite elaborate fountains although it may not be quite as easy. You first have to decide just what it is you are contemplating. Are you looking to make a simple garden fountain that will sit on your patio table as a focal point? Or are considering an in ground pond with a relatively large fountain? Either way there is going to be some planning required.

The table top homemade garden fountains: This is a great way that you can really use your creativity here. Chances are you probably have many items around your home that you can use to make up your fountain. There will be some items that you will need to purchase such as a small pump and tubing to make your fountain flow. You can start by using several different sizes of clay flower pots. For the base of your fountain try and find a ceramic flowerpot or even large bowl. Then you can use your clay pots to create different levels in your fountain allowing the water to flow through them. You can vary the positioning of them, by allowing some of them to fill with water, and then spill down onto the next pot which would be placed upside down.

Garden

To position your pots at different levels, use a variety of different size stones and build them up. If you can find some small pieces of shale they work well as ledges. Then once you have the various pots strategically laid out the way you want them then you can start adding some accessories. You can add either some real plants or some artificial ones. Purchase some artificial moss and position this around your pots and on the ledges. It's from this point where you can be creative. You may have thought that you didn't have the talent to do this but once you start you will see how easy it really is.

The outdoor pond fountains: You have lots of choices here for your fountain as there are many on the market that you can purchase. If you really want to customize your pond consider making your own fountain head. A great medium to make a fountain head out of is ceramic. This doesn't mean that you have to settle for one of the store bought ones either.

If there is a ceramic hobby shop near you then you could go and purchase a piece of unfinished ceramic and do it yourself. There are actually ceramic pieces that are designed for fountains or you can modify it with your own creativity. The ceramic shop will give you instructions on how to prepare your piece so that it can be used in your fountain setting. The two important aspects will be inserting an opening for the water to flow through, and to make sure the piece is glazed. This is one sure way of having a unique fountain head for your garden fountain.

Homemade Water Garden Fountains

Jason Boonstra is the author of "The Ultimate Water Garden Manual" - compulsory reading for anyone considering water garden fountains. This website contains valuable information on how to easily create & maintain your own stunningly beautiful Water Garden with lively & healthy fish.

For a FREE 20 part mini-course on "The Secrets To Creating & Maintaining a Stunning Water Garden!" go to http://www.watergardentips.com

How to Make a Simple Homemade Aeroponics System

The main problem I have always had with building a homemade aeroponics system is the clogging spray nozzles. I was in a hydroponics supply store the other day when it occurred to me the aeroponics system I was looking at did not use any spray heads. As I looked over the new hydroponic gardening system, I marveled at how simple the design really was. With the right pump and correct assembly, the following homemade aeroponics system is relatively problem free.

There are four main parts to this simple system. There is a 20 gallon (75 liter) reservoir. There are several channels 4 or 6 inches in diameter and several feet long. Every 6 or 8 inches there is a hole drilled into the channel to accomodate a plant. The channels are pitched to allow drainage back to the reservoir. Next is a 1/2 inch line, run down the center of each channel and capped at the end. All the lines are connected at the other end by a manifold. Finally, the manifold attaches to a pump. At any point along the 1/2 line where spray is desired a 1/16 inch drill bit is used to cleanly make a small hole (usually one between each plant site).

Gardening

First, 1/2 inch PVC is cut to length and capped at one end. Spray locations are marked and drilled into the 1/2 inch PVC. A 1/2 inch line is run through the length of each channel, which is made from 4 or 6 inch PVC. The line is held in place by drilling two small holes and fastening a zip tie every few feet.

One end of each channel will have to be sealed with an end cap. The other end may be sealed or left open, depending on how drainage back to the reservoir is to be accomplished. 2 1/2 or 3 inch holes are cut every 6 to 8 inches in the channel to accomodate netted pots (or other planting containers).

At one end of the homemade aeroponics system, the 1/2 inch lines elbow out of their channels and are joined together by a series of "T" fittings. This is known as the manifold. One end of the manifold is left open to connect to the pump. Your pump may be an external pump or you may use a submersible pump. Either way, the pump needs to be able to deliver a water pressure of 45 to 60 psi to each of the 1/2 inch lines coming from the manifold.

Finally, any large, cheap, plastic storage tote may be used for the nutrient reservoir. A homemade aeroponics system with 24 to 36 plant sites would require a 20 gallon (75 liter) reservoir. It is always best to choose a dark tote, to keep as much light from the nutrient reservoir as possible. This will prevent algae growth and therefore help prevent fungus gnats. Whenever constructing a homemade hydroponics system you should always use PVC, and not CPVC. CPVC is known to slowly leach harmful chemicals. To prevent leaks, be sure to use PVC cleaner on all parts BEFORE you apply PVC glue and join the parts.

With systems becoming this simple, it is no surprise many people are interested in the faster growth rates aeroponics has to offer.

How to Make a Simple Homemade Aeroponics System

Bonus- learn how to make an aeroponics cloner http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/homemade-aeroponics.html

Lawn and Garden Decor - Concrete Lawn Ornaments

Having a home sweet home is a dream for everyone. Once that becomes a reality how to decorate it becomes a concern. With all the different options available in the market the issue becomes graver. Apartment system is more prominent today in cities, but single house with a beautiful lawn and garden is always welcome. Selecting the plants, planting, watering, pruning and fertilizing them, at times it becomes a nightmare to look after these. It is not just plants that can be used to decorate the landscape there are various other options to choose from depending on the space available. Fountains and small artificial ponds are a good option.

Lawn and garden decor adds on to the beauty of the house. For some it is a favorite pass time and hobby to take care of the garden, but for others it is a headache. To help them there are people and agencies to make your lawn and garden a wonderful place according to your taste and preference. There are many options available in the market like statues, fountain, pond and lawn ornaments, etc and even a theme could be set that can be changed from time to time.

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Concrete garden ornaments are a great option available for garden decoration. They include pots, bird baths, sculptures, urns and stepping stones, etc. This can even be handmade and it would be a great fun to make things with your own hands to decorate your lawn. It is lot more, cheaper than purchasing. Moulds of different size, shape and design made of latex, aluminum or plastic are available in the market that can be made use of. To make the concrete mix for the garden ornaments, cement, light gravel, sand and water needs to be mixed in a ratio required to make a particular ornament. Once the mix is ready, it should be poured into the mould. Make sure no air bubbles are formed. Keep it for setting for at least 24 hours and maximum three days to properly dry. When it is dry you can color it or add other accessories to beautify it.

Concrete garden ornaments are mostly statues. Religious statues are commonly used to decorate both indoor as well as outdoor. Statues of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Angels, etc are the all time favorites. Animal statues like camel, deer, bird, dog, fish, lion tiger dolphin, duck, squirrel, frog, alligator, elephant, etc. statues of Buddha, Pagodas, Dragon, Gargoyles, etc are also common found. Bird baths of concrete apart from providing birds with refreshing water are also used for garden decoration purpose is available in various designs.

Being the first thing that a visitor lays eyes on when entering a house, a first impression is always good for better relationship. You can make paradise out of your garden with the Lawn and Garden Decor, especially the Concrete Lawn Ornaments.

Lawn and Garden Decor - Concrete Lawn Ornaments

Yachika Verma has many hobbies and interests. As well being a keen blogger and article writer for many sites, she has also recently created a site focusing on Lawn And Garden Decor. The site is constantly being updated and has articles such as Concrete Lawn Ornaments to read.

How To Keep Deer Out Of The Garden

Well, the word has gotten out. The deer know you have started another buffet of green delicacies.
Word spreads fast in the forest and it won't be long before these uninvited guests will arrive at
your garden gate.

Deer tend to feed on our gardens at night making it difficult to keep them out of the garden.
Some favorites of deer are: Apples, Arborvitae/white cedar, Arrow wood Viburnum, Birch, Day lilies,
Dogwood, Euonymus, Garden lilies, Hostas, Hydrangea, Impatiens, Linden/basswood, Yews , and Roses.
An important factor that will effect how often deer enter your vegetable garden, is availability
of food in their native habitat.

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Unless you live in a city, the odds are you will have deer in your garden at some point. If you
live in the country, your garden is almost like having an open invitation for dinner - everyday.
These nuisance deer can be difficult to deter without taking some serious and consistent action
to prevent them from enjoying a buffet dinner that you call your garden.

So how do you keep deer out of the garden?

There are several ways to keep deer out of your garden, some of these deer repellents you may not even be aware of. In addition, there are many plants that deer will usually avoid. One of the hottest products to hit the market to protect your plants from deer is the Scarecrow - a motion activated sprinkler that shoots a 3 second burst of water in the direction that triggers it.

There are many home remedies that may be effective, but only for a short time. Fencing is expensive,
labor intensive and needs to be at least six feet high - besides, who wants to hide their beautiful
garden behind a fence - in some case a fence is not even an option. Planting deer resistant plants
may deter deer until they get really hungry - kind of like kids and spinach. Dry weather will
attracted deer to irrigated plants for the refreshing moisture.

Overall, the final consensus amongst most gardeners is effective deer management requires a combination
of deterrents to be effective. This includes commercial repellents combined with home made remedies
as listed below. Fencing for most of us, is not an option and very expensive. As such, we won't cover
fencing here. Instead we will focus on the known alternatives.

Deer Repellents & Control:

Use these known deer repellents and controls in combination for best results

Dogs: A dog that will actively chase away deer is probably the number one, most effective deer deterrent
there is. If your dog does not wonder, keep him out at night and you should have no further problem
with deer. If fido is a little on the lazy side, other alternatives as listed below may warrant attention.

The Scarecrow: The Scarecrow is a motion activated sprinkler that works both day and night. It not only scares away deer, but is effective for cats, dogs, rabbits, raccoons and larger birds. It sprays a maximum
35 foot stream of water for 3 seconds. One 9 volt battery will provide approximately 3000 bursts
of water. Works on water pressure between 30 - 80 psi (use a pressure reducer at higher psi),
is fully adjustable and comes with a 24 month warranty.

Liquid Fence ®: All natural, the long lasting Liquid Fence ® Deer & Rabbit Repellent will stop deer and rabbits from
eating your flowers, shrubs, vegetable plants, trees and vines. And rest assured, it won't harm
your plants or animals! The manufacturer offers a written 100% money back guarantee.

Features as noted on the Liquid Fence® website:

* Environmentally safe and biodegradable

* USDA field tested

* Easy-to-use

* Long lasting and rain resistant

* Family & pet friendly

* 100% Money Back Guarantee

* Member tested and recommended by the National Home Gardening Club!

* We have not used this product, but it has been recommended by fellow gardeners - usually the most reliable source.

Electric Fence: The electric fence is often overlooked by many gardeners. It is very effective for cattle
and horses and offers some protection against deer - although if they jump over and never
touch it, they will not be afraid of it. Fortunately, deer tend to graze and nibble as they
feed and the odds are in your favor that they will touch your fence and flee, realizing this
area is better left alone.

Electric fences are best used for the vegetable garden in back yards, were public access is
restricted. You do not want the neighbors kids running home and telling their parents they got
zapped. Unless you live in a rural area, you may also find it difficult to find a supplier.
This can be overcome by shopping online or traveling to rural or farming communities near you.
Select a low powered fence designed for smaller livestock - after all, you are not trying to
keep animals the size of horses or cattle out of the garden.

Low lying electric fences (and low powered) can be effective for Rabbits and other smaller
animals. They should be kept very low to the ground using two lines, set on an angle away
from the garden - set the first line about 3" above the ground and the second about 8".
Keep the lines clear of grass, shrubs or any other material that will ground the charge
and reduce the effectiveness of the fence.

A new electric fence for slugs is under development in Canada and should be on the market by
2007. We can not elaborate on this now, but testing is proving very successful and we will
provide details when given the go ahead from the developer.

Deer Repellent Plant Protec: A new product from http://www.deerbusters.com, this all natural green Deer Repellent plant protector
clips easily on most plants. Emits a non-offensive garlic odor keeping deer and other unwanted
pests away. Environmentally safe with no spraying and no mess. Plant Protec lasts up to 8 months.

Egg Based Deer Repellent: A another product from http://www.deerbusters.com is the Deer Repellent egg based repellent, it has been tested and proven effective against deer browsing. This unique product repels by odor but, unlike some repellents, Deer Away will not be offensive to you. Tested in independent studies
by the USDA and Penn State. Deer Away was originally developed for use in large reforestation
projects. One application will last up to 2 months. This product is designed for pines, firs,
fruits, citrus and ornamentals. Other names this product is known as include "Deer Away" & "Deer-Off".

Human Hair: Human hair wrapped in a old nylon and hung on branches or tucked between plants will provide some protection against deer and various animals. The smell of a human indicates danger to
most wild animals and should keep deer away from these areas.

Tree Guard(tm) : Tree Guard with Bitrex(tm) is another deer deterrent. It is lightly sprayed on seedlings, shrubs, ornamentals, hedges and flowers to produce a lingering nasty taste that animals do
not like - DO NOT USE on anything that you will be eating.

The bitter tasting Bitrex is locked into the plant surface forming a "protective jacket"
which resists dew, snow, rain and vaporization. One quart can covers 250-400 seedlings, one
gallon - approximately 1000 seedlings. Not a concentrate - ready to go! Tree Guard does not
wash off, it adheres with a single application and continues to protect through all kinds of weather.

The Manufacturer states that Tree Guard is the most effective deer deterrent on the market today.
We have not used it, so we cannot back this one up.

Bar Soap: Said to work by a number of gardeners, Take a piece of ivory soap, drill a hole in it, tie it to
the plant. The deer won't come near your plant. You can also put a bar in an old stocking and hang
in shrubs - try to find a location, like under large leaves, that will protect the soap from rain
and watering - the bar of soap will last much longer.

Sound Based Deterrents: Their are a number of motion activated sound based deterrents available. However, for most people
these can cause more problems with neighbors, than the positive results in your garden. Imagine the
neighbors delight, when a high pitched noise goes off several times during the we hours of the night.

If you live in a remote, rural area and feel you won't be woken up in the night by such products,
check around online for possible suppliers.

Marigolds - Myth or Fact?: It has been suggested that marigolds planted in a garden will keep deer away. I have tried this on several occasions with little effect. This does not mean it will not work. It is possible that I did not plant enough, or that I used the wrong variety. If you want to try this, I would plant around the plants deer like to eat. Marigolds are attractive and are reported to keep away various insects so it will do any harm to plant them regardless.

Now, if none of these solutions keeps the inquisitive deer out of your garden, a regular fence may be your only choice. However, it is a pretty good bet you'll have success with one of these options. Good Luck!

How To Keep Deer Out Of The Garden

Article provided courtesy of http://www.usagardener.com Your complete online gardening guide.