The baby crabapple tree has doubled in size this year, and for the first time, it has a few flowers! Aren't they pretty? Unfortunately, the deer came back night before last and ate a bunch of the tender new leaves. I was so mad when I walked outside yesterday morning and saw the damage! Apparently, apple trees of all types are irresistible to deer.
The tree will never amount to much without protection while it's young and just starting to grow. With that in mind I went to Lowe's in the afternoon and bought four seven-foot-tall garden stakes. Along with a big roll of fine mesh bird netting that we had stashed in the garage, they make a decent protective "cage" to keep hungry wildlife out. It's not the greatest looking thing in the world, but it should do the job.
In other garden news, I've been hardening off my tomato and pepper plants and preparing the bed for planting. I started some herb seeds (basil, parsley, and oregano) in pots, sowed borage seeds in the bed in front of the porch, and planted marigold seeds in the raised bed between the spaces where the tomatoes will go. And I planted rattlesnake beans! (Thank you again, Mary, for sharing those with me!) I've been at home on spring break this week and the weather has been wonderful for working outside. Going back to the office next week is going to be hard!
Looks like good protection for your little tree!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! So far so good.
DeleteAh, the destruction of Bambi. We have a lot of issues up here in Central PA with white tail deer.
ReplyDeleteYep, white tails. I'm convinced they ate the daffodil bulbs I planted a couple of years ago, too!
DeleteGorgeous blooms on the crab apple; and hopefully your mesh will spare it animal abuse!
ReplyDeleteI think it will work. I hope so! I love crabapple flowers.
DeleteLet me know how long it takes for those seeds to jump out of the ground.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting....but it's supposed to rain again today. Maybe that will help!
DeleteThe wildlife protection around the tree actually looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteI hope the neighbors don't mind the looks of it!
DeleteI fear the deer will not be daunted by the new security but hope that I am wrong about that.
ReplyDeleteI think when they go to have a little nibble, a mouthful of mesh will be enough to deter them. It's been a week, and so far so good.
DeleteLike YP, I fear you might require something more substantial. It's so annoying when animals destroy all our hard work.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's adequate! As I told YP, so far so good!
DeleteThe mesh cage may not be the greatest looking thing in the world, as you put it, but it is not an eyesore, either - I just hope it‘ll do the job.
ReplyDeleteWith all the gardening and preparations you‘ve been doing, you will get a good harvest!
I sure hope so! I planted my tomatoes in the garden yesterday. I'm really looking forward to good tomatoes!
DeleteI don't think the cage looks too bad but like the others I'm not sure it will be enough! The flowers are pretty, though.
ReplyDeleteSee my reply to YP and Cro. Aren't the flowers nice? I love them!
DeleteI wish the weather here in Wales had been like yours. It has been wind and raoin and wind and rain and more... But then we have the sound of the sea I suppose. No chance of any planting or growing through - at least not just yet.
ReplyDeleteHello! We have a very different climate to Wales. I hope spring and all the good things that come with it arrive in your area soon! And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI like your cage you built to protect your baby apple tree from deer. We have lots of coyotes in my neighborhood but no deer. We had severe fires two years ago in our county, forest and about 900 homes destroyed, and since then coyotes have moved in to town. I bought a Fuji apple and my oldest son will plant it soon.
ReplyDeleteWe have coyotes and deer! I wish I could grow regular apples around here, but it's too warm.
DeleteI hope the little cage will indeed protect the young tree.
ReplyDeleteIt has so far! New leaves are appearing. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI'm a huge fan of those furry blue borage flowers. Nice job protecting the young tree.
ReplyDeleteThe borage is beginning to sprout, so I'm crossing my fingers that it does well for me!
DeleteI am just catching up on your last two posts. Your trip to Raleigh sounded like a lot of fun! Last year, the dear at ALL of my impatiens plants. It was so frustrating!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't that just burn you up? I love animals but not when they're destroying my hard work! And Raleigh was fun, but the trip was awfully short!
DeleteI planted raspberries a few years back, and was delighted to see that each of them 'took'. The next time I saw them, the deer had nibbled them down to nothing. There is really no sense planting anything until I am up there to keep an eye on it.
ReplyDeleteOur blueberry bushes are in our fenced back yard, which is also where I have a raised bed for vegetables. So far deer haven't been a problem back there, between the fence and the dogs.
DeleteI don't have great patience with patients bemoaning they are turning 30 or 40 or whatever. I quote them this quotation or something like it.
ReplyDelete