Helping Your Garden Recover From The Winter of 2011

Now that the snow has finally melted, check the woody stemmed plants for damage from critters.

When the snow cover remains consistently deep (like this past winter), the wildlife tend to stay ‘close to home’, tunneling under the snow to the closest plants.

Check the stems and trunks of the woody plants for areas of bark that may have been chewed off. Since these animals are ‘creatures of habit’, they will go back to the same plants, just like we return to our favorite restaurants.

If you see damage, spray the remaining parts of the bark with a repellent. There are many types and brands of repellents; but the best ones repel using tastes and odors that offend the animals. My favorite is called PlantSkydd.

Spray during dry weather and it will remain on the plant and repel for 60-90 days. Catching the damage now will save the life of many shrubs and trees.

As the rest of the garden wakes up, use the PlantSkydd to prevent the rabbits from eating the tender new growth. This is particularly helpful for our favorite spring bulbs and flowers, like tulips, crocus and pansies—those wonderful plants that bring smiles to our faces as our gardens wake up.

  Who We Are       NFP Support       Magazine       Programs       Donate    

X