With temperatures hovering unseasonably close to 50° and a lovely bit of sunshine shining through, it was just too nice to stay inside. I’ve been anxious to check the flower beds for sometime, so I “took me” to the garden for a peek.
I puttered about, resisting the urge to lift leaves to see what was hidden underneath. You can imagine my excitement upon discovering these daffodils pushing through the winter blanket! It was so very lovely to have a few moments of joy, for as I turned around, I faced the carnage that the wandering herd of deer have wrought!
Even with a barrier of fencing, the deer have decimated three tree peonies, a Korean lilac, and the oakleaf hydrangea I’ve been nurturing for five years.
I can find it in my heart to forgive the damage the deer have done. I know the winter is long and they are hungry. What I simply cannot forgive is the twenty pound bag of cocoa mulch they somehow managed to tear open and devour!
Sigh.
I share your excitement over the daffodils as ours have already bloomed and are only a memory. So sorry about the cocoa mulch and the plants that the deer could not resist! We finally learned to just plant things the deer don’t care to eat. Am just happy they don’t like the daffs or jonquils as we say here.
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We’re zone 5, Marilyn, so won’t see those yellow blossoms for a bit more time. I just love it when they bloom. I’ll think of your sending them this way asa yours fade. The daffodils are about the only thing the deer don’t touch. The tree peonies are deer resistant – only they weren’t resisting. Tom’s mother always called them jonquils too.
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Late thought: do give us your review, thoughts, feelings about Season 2 of Downton after the final episode for this year. Thank you kindly.
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I will do that, Marilyn. I was hoping I wasn’t going on too much about Downton Abbey, but, it might be fun as we say goodbye to the season. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, as I imagine you are.
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We don’t have 50 degrees here today, but we have had brilliant sunshine and I, for one, am more than ready. Yes, I know this has not been a “bad” winter, but it has been gray a lot. Now, I’m compelled to run out and see whether any of our shoots (besides the mint we noticed yesterday at the rear of the deck) are showing their tips. Surely don’t want them to be too ambitious and then get nipped. 🙂 So sorry that the hungry deer chose to dine on things they should not have – it’s sad to lose so many plantings at once.
And, an additional cautionary note: some cocoa mulches pose a risk to pets, although I don’t know if that extends to the deer population or not. There have been some instances of illness and actual deaths where dogs are concerned.
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Sunshine is the key, isn’t it Karen? That grayness of winter wears on us, especially come February. Let me know if you find any shoots. Ah, the taste of fragrance of fresh mint. Soon you will be pinching it for all your culinary needs. The deer are an ever growing pest problem, but, they are so beautiful. We have a love/hate relationship, heavy on the love.
Thank you, Karen. We are aware of the danger to pets, but, it is a good reminder. The deer are okay with it, but, I know dogs are at risk. Our properties are larger here and because of the coyotes no one lets their dogs roam unattended. We’ve let the neighbors know, however, that we put it down.
Here’s to spring!
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How sad to have the joy of the daffodils dampened by the damage done by the deer. They are such a mixed blessing!
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They are a mixed blessing, indeed, Juliet. I’m looking forward to a sea of yellow blooms from the daffodils, however.
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Our daffs are in bud… quite early in the year for them really. I’ve heard that deer are a bit of a problem for gardeners over there. We have them but they tend to keep more to the wilder places such as moors.
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Everything seems to be a bit off kilter this year, Cath. We have an overpopulation of deer in a good part of the area, poor things. We’ve taken over their habitat with homes and shopping centers and they have no natural predators. I’ve always loved the image and lure of the word “moors”. Deer wandering about in the moors has my mind set to wandering itself.
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Puttered. It must be a Midwestern term. It is one of MTM’s most favorite words in the world. Penny, that really made me smile.
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Ha! It must be, Andra. I didn’t even think about it when puttered slipped through my fingers and onto the keyboard. I’m so pleased to know you are smiling with seeing it here, Andra. Best.
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Dear Penny,
Like Marilyn Ritter, I’d so enjoy reading a review you’d write of this second season of Downton Abbey. Your heart always seems to find the essence of book or series or nature. That’s why, I think we all keep returning to your blog. You put us in touch with our heartwishes.
Peace.
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I’ll make sure to do a review of Downton Abbey, then, Dee. I was worried I was writing too much about it, but, will give it a whirl after tonight’s episode. Whatever will I do until the third year?
Oh, Dee, what a sweet thing to say. Thank you. I’ll try not to let you down.
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If this keeps up Penny, you’ll be reintroducing wolves to Illinois!
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There’s a thought, Janet . . .
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I too have been enjoying the warm weather. Maybe the cocoa mulch was like chocolate to the deer. Could you ignore a bag of m & m s for very long?
Sorry about the damage. I hope nothing is terminal. Spring is on the way and you will be gardening before you know it.
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Ha! Me? Ignore a bag of m & m’s? You know me well, Janet. Actually, I have trouble with the cocoa mulch. Not eating it, silly, but smelling it. When it first goes down it smells much like brownies baking and off I go on a Willy Wonka sort of binge baking brownies and cake. I don’t think we have any terminal damage, but, it will effect spring and next fall’s blooms on the hydrangea.
Enjoy the good weather. I hear tell that the early crops of lettuce and spinach are going to be a positive result of this winter. We’ll see.
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Penny, I really sympathize. I bought two tree peonies last spring and put them in pots in my front yard. My garden was on a garden tour that month and everyone loved the tree peonies. I hope you can replace them. In the meantime, enjoy your warm weather, how lovely to have a respite from the cold.
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I think they will survive, Sunday, but they way they were chewed makes them look very odd, indeed, and I’m sure I won’t get as many blooms this year. They are supposed to be deer resistant, but, when they get hungry they attack just about anything. I love tree peonies and hope yours put on a good show for you this year. Their saucer like blooms are really magnificent and they open earlier here in Illinois than the other peonies.
I’ve been enjoying your posts, especially those English kitchens. I’m having a bit of a problem leaving comments, but, I’ll keep trying. In-the-meantime, enjoy the last of Downton Abbey tonight. Sigh.
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Oh my, Penny! They were really hungry, weren’t they! I always think of my aunt (I’ve mentioned before how I think of her when I read your posts) and her lovely garden and yearly reports of what the deer “did” this time! She approached it with a similar acceptance, but I always feel so sorry to hear, nonetheless. I AM happy you are seeing some signs of spring…and is tonight’s Downton Abbey the last for the season? It went too quickly! Debra
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I think I would have liked your aunt very much, Debra. I’m often complaining and frustrated with what the deer have done – and then I love watching them when they are behaving. The daffodils even have the yellow tips showing. They are such a joyful think to see come spring.
I loved tonight’s episode of Downton Abbey and Lady Violet was in top form. However will we be able to wait for another year?
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Oh no — that was more than a snack, they had a banquet on your mulch~ …. the daffodils, even at that stage, make me homesick (for Oregon)…no winter, thus no spring here in Florida!
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They had quite a party at our expense, Sallie. The one thing they never touch is the daffodils. I’ll try to take some pictures when the daffs bloom to help with that homesickness. We’re hearing tales of oranges going up in price here in the midwest from this strange winter.
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