Re: [gardeners] Saturday in the garden

Shirley,George (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sun, 11 Feb 2001 10:25:16 -0600 

We live and garden in SW Louisiana, about 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and
only about 10 miles from a saltwater estuary. Our normal climate is USDA zone
9b, last year was closer to zone 10, and this year closer to zone 8. Sleepy
likes green beans too and she waits for veggies to be picked for her.
Boysenberries, raspberries, and blueberries are a different story. Finally
caught her snarfing berries last year. I had been wondering who was getting the
low growing ones and was blaming the mocking birds. Nope, Miss Sleepy Dawg was
strolling down the row and sniffing out the very best ripe berries for herself.
Figured what the heck, she keeps the birds out of them so maybe that's her pay.
Tried to feed her cauliflower yesterday and she sorta liked it raw so have
encouraged her to enter the garden and eat the cauliflower. She won't do it of
course as she knows the raised bed gardens are out of bounds for her. The flower
beds are too as Miz Anne has raised her voice a few times when Sleepy was in hot
pursuit of a squirrel.

George, glad to be inside on a dreary day with heavy rains forecast

Chuck Hall wrote:
> 
> Hi George,
> 
>     It is always a spiritual lift to listen in to this group.  I normally
> just "lurk 'n' learn" from the experienced gardeners and cooks here.  Your
> comments about spring coming to your area is heartwarming.  I have been
> listening in here for a long time, but I can't remember where you are
> located.
> 
>     Here in sunny Iowa, we have our original 18" to 2 feet of snow that came
> in early Dec. plus regular additions that seem to come quite often.  Our
> perennials are securely insulated and should come through the winter in
> great shape.  The deer in this part of the state are being stressed to the
> max and our shrubs are paying the price.  We have a resident w.t. deer pop.
> of from 25 to 150 depending on the hunting seasons and the weather.  We have
> resorted to a baited electric fence around our entire yard so that our
> flower and veg. gardens can survive.  The single electrified wire is placed
> 30" above the ground and has kept the deer at bay for over 4 years now.  But
> this year the snow is over the fence in several places.  The snow also
> insulates the deer from grounding themselves, so they have the run of the
> place.  Our 15 year old white cedar shrub row is now transparent as high as
> the deer can reach and our spruce tree line has a poodle cut.
> 
>     Your comments about Sleepy's fondness for carrots reminds me of my
> cockers, Sammy and Boomer.  They sit outside our garden fence when we are
> working there and beg for green beans.
> 
>     Sorry to hear about Miz Anne's ankle.  Hope she gets better soon.
> 
> Chuck Hall
> Shivering in Iowa (-8 today) and envious of your 'nasty head of cauliflower'