Garden Update – What to do when you get Chewed On

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Been gone for a couple weeks.  Everything has been about its business and is thriving.  But . . . the deer have discovered this little space.  Apparently they have a taste for Collards and Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts and Swiss Chard.

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They have not touched the Chicory or the Kale yet.  It is so pretty still.

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Likin’ some Swiss Chard.  Guess they are balancing out their greens.

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They are killing the Brussel Sprouts and it is not even cold yet.  So what does one do when they are getting chewed on?  One thing I have to remember is that a perfect garden is one that produces not some ideal symmetrical form only truly understood by Plato himself.  I remember the initial vision I had for this place when I planted it.  Sometimes it seems things don’t turn out like I planned.  Really they usually never do.  It is not even surprising anymore.  Is it not true that many times it is the imperfections of a thing or a place or a person that makes them endearing, unique, singular?  Perfection can be boring and lack character.  I know that it is from the weird, broken, insecure, place in me that the best stuff finally emerges and makes me, me.  I also know that this little place will still provide some delicious meals.  The cool thing is that even when we get chewed on it will grow back.  Be Groovy. 🙂

35 thoughts on “Garden Update – What to do when you get Chewed On

  1. The joy of seeing the graceful beings visit would be a gift to me. That I might feed them, as well as myself would give me pleasure. Sharing is interspecies. I think that Metalflowermaker put it best, plant some of the things that you don’t want, and they’ll munch more on them. Still, sometimes, you might do a bit of something in a vertical garden, which rises out of their reach. Gardeners will find a way.

  2. I also keep a sacrificial hosta garden nearby. They love hostas, not sure if they’re poisonous to us or not, but the deer would chow down on my forest hostas and garage hostas and never venture into the brussel sprouts, spinach, kale, chard, arugula grocery store in the front yard. Of course, when in doubt I ask someone to help removes some from the area so I can eat them. Food banks don’t refuse deer and rarely have enough people interested in eating venison. I”m not supposed to be eating lean meets though Girlie is.

  3. Deer gardeners are like blueberry pickers, they eat more than they harvest. Also, they are like helper insects they keep the small rodents away and do some selective weeding in the process that allows the increased spacing between plants to make your surviving plants’ roots stronger, healthier and you get better growth in the second crop. Hey you. It’s sunny today.

  4. Man, I’ve been chewed on and out all my life and am still growing (mostly around the middle lately). A little trick I learned that helps with deer around my place. Sounds a little strange but try hanging a few CDs on fishing line about 2 to 3 feet above the ground and see what happens.

  5. She sits at the feet of the zen master and listens to what he says about what she can only label perfect imperfections. She immerses herself in the theology of it and how it applies not only to all others, but to herself as well. His acceptance of himself in what he sees as his own imperfections is a constant example to her of how one should love not only themselves, but their fellow man. That was a beautiful post…

  6. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature

    Nice attitude, Plato, as always. You grow chicory on purpose?? It can really take over our hay field. What do you do with it? The root is so deep, it’s hard to harvest. I would love to know something good to do with it. Do you roast the root for hot drink? I’m glad you accept the deer. We do too. They never touch the chicory here either. Be well.
    Mary

  7. Nice metaphor.
    I don’t have deer here, my garden is raided by bunnies in the spring and squirrels in fall. I put dog and cat fur and feces around my seedlings and that works well for the bunnies.
    I know some people plant smelly stuff around desirables. Like mint and chives and lavender around them. I’ve read once the deer find your tasties, they come back religiously. :/ Plant extra? lol

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