Q: I have never had a problem with deer, but now they occasionally come into my garden. With all the deer repellents available on the market, I am not sure which one to use.

A: The deer population has reached an all-time high. These attractive creatures are invading suburban areas at a fast rate and can destroy a garden very quickly.

Many gardeners seek the help of deer repellents, which discourage deer from feeding by giving the plants in your garden a foul taste or odor. Repellents vary in effectiveness, so it is best to alternate a few varieties.

Deer will almost always stay away from plants that offend two or more senses. In addition, they would stay away from a property where they sense the presence of danger (some repellents contain coyote or bobcat urine, two of their natural predators).

Using two deer deterrents together, one that offends the sense of taste in conjunction with one that offends the sense of smell, and alternating different brands, gives the best results. Several brands of commercial repellents, both in concentrate and ready-to-use form, are available in garden and home centers.

Look for the active ingredients listed on the label. Deterrents are usually applied as a spray and should be applied when rain is not forecast for 24 hours. You should cover all portions of the plants in your garden, making sure you reapply to new growth and after it rains.

No matter what you choose to use, the effectiveness of repellents depends on the number of deer in your area, their feeding habits and weather conditions. If the deer are very hungry due to limited food supplies (particularly in late winter and early spring), the repellents may not work.

Fencing the garden may not be part of your plan, but it remains the most effective defense against these hungry creatures.
— Lonna Panatelli, Tuxedo master gardener, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland

Flowers: Clean out patio planters, tubs and window boxes. Clay containers should be stored in a dry place where they won’t be subject to freezing. Start paperwhites indoors for holiday blooming.

Vegetables and fruits: Cleanup in the vegetable garden should be complete. Continue harvesting carrots, parsnips, leeks and Brussels sprouts. Trim broken branches on fruit trees. Finish cutting raspberry canes if weather permits. Sawdust makes a good mulch for blueberries.

Trees and shrubs: When planting trees and shrubs, the root ball should sit in the hole on undisturbed ground with the crown of the plant at ground level or slightly above. If the hole yields a lot of stones replace with topsoil from elsewhere on your property, not compost or peat moss, so that the new plant will accommodate to your conditions. Unless a newly planted tree is very exposed to winds, do not stake. Do not prune or fertilize. Water regularly, depending on rainfall, for two years. Make sure to keep mulch away from the flare of the trunk.

Lawns: If the lawn showed signs of snow mold last spring, treat it now with a fungicide before snow covers the ground. The last mowing of the lawn should be very short to avoid the grass matting down.

Houseplants: Some houseplants are thirsty year-round and thrive on regular watering — African violets, begonias, Swedish ivies, spider plants and most ferns. However, other popular plants, such as cacti and succulents, go into a winter slump and prefer to be left alone. They should be watered sparingly. Sow seeds of parsley in a pot, moisten the soil and cover with plastic until they sprout. Keep in a sunny spot with houseplants.

General: Store and cover outdoor furniture, picnic tables and garden ornaments. Replace screens with storm windows.

Susan Henry

On a recent visit, all of the fall-blooming salvias caught my eye, especially one called ‘Phyllis’ Fancy.’ It stood nearly 6 feet tall and was completely covered with purple spikes of fuzzy lavender blooms.

Named for Phyllis Norris, this particularly elegant and long-blooming salvia was recently introduced by the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum. It will start blooming in mid-summer and keep going strong until a hard frost knocks it down.

Like other members of the sage and mint families, salvias are great plants for Hudson Valley gardeners — deer resistant, low maintenance, drought tolerant and very vigorous all summer and fall. Favorites of hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, they prefer full sun but tolerate some shade.

In mild winters, experienced gardeners in the Lower Hudson Valley might get ‘Phyllis’ Fancy’ to survive until next spring, but generally speaking, you should treat it as an annual in our climate. It’s definitely one I’ll be looking for in nurseries next year.

To learn more:

“Splendid Salvias—14 Tender Perennials for Summer and Fall Bloom,”
by Bob Hyland, from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Web site

Monday, November 9, 16, 23, 30
and December 7
Interactive Botany
Classroom Series for Children

An innovative blend of hands-on science, reading
and artistic expression

60 minute class + 30 minutes for personalized
library study, individualized inquiry discussion
and healthy snack

For Children Ages 6-8 years

Cost: $20 per session or $90 for all five sessions*

*Enrollment of all five sessions will also include a
free library pass granting borrowing privileges for
the duration of the program.
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Tuesday, November 10
BOOKED TONIGHT
“Farm City: The Education
of an Urban Farmer”

Novella Carpenter discusses her memoir about starting a farm ten years ago on the mean streets of Oakland. Learn more about her experience in a recent New York Times interview.

6pm at The HSNY Library
$10 at the door, waived with book purchase
RSVP to Katherine Powis at (212) 757-0915×109 for more information
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Tuesday, November 17
Meet and Greet Session
For The First Ever Hort Library Reading Club

We’ll be reading an eclectic selection of memoirs, history, engaging instruction, essays, and possibly fiction. From time to time local writers and growers will visit us to talk about what they’re doing.

We welcome your ideas and reading suggestions in creating and sustaining a lively discussion.
And we need a name:
Bean in a Cup (for coffee lovers)
Sow What? (for the jazzy set)
Your input here…

6pm at The HSNY Library
RSVP to Katherine Powis at (212) 757-0915×109 for more information
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Tuesday, November 17
Terrarium Workshop

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned gardener, join us at The Hort for an evening of discovering the simplest way to garden. George Pisegna, our Director of Horticulture, will share his secrets on how to create a wonderful garden under glass. Terrariums come in many shapes and sizes, from simple wine glasses to elaborate Wardian cases. With the winter season quickly closing in, a terrarium is a perfect way to preserve a piece of summer by bringing it indoors.

After a short lecture, George will help you create your own magical terrarium with simple step-by-step instructions on choosing your materials, designing and planting your garden under glass. We will provide everything you need to create your terrarium project. Be sure to bring something with you to carry your finished terrarium home.

6:30pm at The Horticultural Society of New York
$75 for HSNY members; $85 for non-members
Materials are provided in course fee
REGISTER ONLINE or call (212) 757-0915×100
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Wednesday, November 18
Last Look Jurors’ and Curator’s Walkthrough

The 12th Annual International
Juried Botanical Art Exhibition
A guided walkthrough of this premier botanical
art exhibition, hosted by The American Society
of Botanical Artists.

1 – 2:30pm and open to the public
Contact Chris Murtha for more information or to RSVP
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Thursday, November 19
16th Annual Library Benefit
“Beatrix Farrand: Private Gardens, Public Landscapes”

Landscape historian Judith B. Tankard presents an illustrated lecture on her new book exploring the life and work of Beatrix Farrand. One of the foremost landscape architects of the early 1900s, Farrand’s best-known work is the extensive grounds at Dumbarton Oaks.

6 – 8pm at The HSNY Library
Admission for the evening is $100;
bring along a guest for free.
To register, call (212) 757-0915×100
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On Display through November 24
HSNY & ASBA Present:
The 12th Annual International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition

At The Horticultural Society of New York Gallery
148 West 37th Street 13th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(between 7th Ave & Broadway)

Gallery hours:
Monday – Friday from 10am to 6pm
Free and open to the public

About the Exhibition:
The 12th Annual International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition, on view at The Horticultural Society of New York (HSNY), features a juried selection of works from The American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA). Selected from a field of 185 submissions, by jurors Francesca Anderson, Carol E. Hamilton, and Dick Rauh, the forty-one artworks in the exhibition have been created by artists from the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With scientific accuracy, the artworks in the exhibition depict a range of plants, including common garden flowers, edible plants, and wild species.

On sale now!
The 2009 ASBA Exhibition Catalog
Click here to order your catalog online
Or order by phone: 212-757-0915×100

Image credit (upper right): Katherine Manisco,
“Porcini Mushrooms”, watercolor, 10” x 8”.

The Horticultural Society of New York
148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor | New York, NY 10018 | (212) 757-0915

“Improve Your Soil by Raking Less,” from Fine Gardening

“Fanciful Gardens Emerge in a Land of Tan and Gray,” from the NYTimes

Sunday, November 8th, 2009
Noon – 2:00 p.m.

CHANGING SEASONS:
A FAMILY FRIENDLY NATURE WALK

On Sunday, November 8th at noon join Cary Institute educators for a late fall walk along paved trails that weave through lowland habitats.

Participants of all ages will look for birds, observe signs of the changing seasons, identify stream invertebrates, and make a bird feeder to take home.

The trail is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera!

To ensure that we have enough craft supplies, please RSVP to (845) 677-7600×121 or freemanp@caryinstitute.org. The walk will begin in our auditorium parking lot, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, N.Y.

Events are free and open to the public

Copyright© 2009 Cary Institute | Cary Institute PO Box AB, 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook, New York 12545-0129 | 845 677-5343

“Native Plant Center Lecture
This lecture is selling out quickly!

“Fax or mail your registration form   by Monday, November 9
Limited Seating

Tuesday, November 17
Invasive Species in the Northeastern United States
James D. Lewis
10:00 a.m. – 12 noon at WCC
Fee: $25 non-members

Invasive species have been identified as one of the three greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. In the northeastern U.S., invasive species have dramatically altered the composition of native ecosystems, resulting in the near loss of native species including American chestnut, American elm, and the spread of purple loosestrife, phragmites and other species. Some current threats to native plants in our region will be discussed, as well as ongoing research into the effects of some invasive species on native and urban ecosystems.

James D. Lewis is the Assistant Professor for Plant Ecology at The Louis Calder Center Biological Station in Armonk, New York. He holds a Master of Science in Ecology from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Botany from Duke University.
Confirmation and directions will be sent November 10, be sure to include your e-mail address.

REGISTRATION FORM
May, 2010 Garden Tour to Washington D.C.
NPC WEBSITE
September, 2009 Newsletter
www.nativeplantcenter.org
Nancy Inzinna
Assistant Director
(914) 606-7870 Phone
(914) 606-6143 FAX
75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, NY  10595
www.nativeplantcenter.org

“Look what is happening in November !

Red and Green: Jewels that are not just for
Christmas.
Thursday, November 5  10:00 a.m.

Simon Teakle will heighten the senses discussing the glamour and
folklore of rubies and emeralds as well as other red and green
gemstones. In addition to gems, Simon will explore the variety of
jewelry design with this color theme ranging from exquisite
17th century Indian spinels to Art Deco enameling of Cartier.
Who said that red and green was a cliché?  Cost: M $35 N/M $45

Carri Raven Orchid Trunk Show
Thursday, November 12
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The OrchidPhile is comin’ to town! Carri Raven is back with some
of her most unique orchids. Come see what is new and exciting in
the world of Orchids. There is always something to catch your eye.
Exquisite plants will be for sale.     FREE OF CHARGE

Design with flowers from the supermarket
with Miriam Landsman
Thursday, November 12   10:00 a.m.

Making ordinary flowers into extraordinary arrangements
with emphasis on flowers for the holidays. Miriam will demonstrate arrangements for
the mantels, tables and centerpieces. From ShopRite to Whole Foods a world of creativity
in your cart!  Cost: M $40 N/M $50
Photo taken at Cos Cob Farm

Hands-On Bow tying workshop with our very
own… Lisa Duo!

Friday, November 13   10:00 a.m.
Come learn how to make your decorations for the holidays
look exquisite with a beautiful tied bow. From packages to decking
the halls, we will teach you a number of techniques to making the bow.
Materials include 10 yards of quality ribbon.   Cost: M $35 N/M $45

Nature Walk: In a Nutshell
Sunday, November 15
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

400 years ago the dominant trees in the Pinetum were
chestnut, hickory and walnut. 80 years ago “Wild Acres” as the Pinetum was then
called, was dominated by hemlocks and other conifers, which produce their own
type of nut. We will take a walk to identify trees by their nuts, harvest, and in a
few cases eat them. We will also explain why nut trees aren’t as readily available at
nurseries and why they cost so much when they are. Suggestions for trying to grow
your own will also be offered.   Cost: M $3.00  N/M $5.00

Thanksgiving Floral with Zoe Ridabock of Lush Design
and Catering Demonstration
with Ned Grieg of Patricia Blake Catering

Friday, November 20  10:30 a.m.
Beautiful, autumn centerpiece, perfect for your Thanksgiving table created with fresh fruits and high quality flowers  and materials with Zoe Ridabock of Lush Design.  The floral container will be provided.  Please bring your own floral knife or scissors.

Patricia Blake Catering is introducing two new side dishes for you to try on your
family which will perk up the old stand bys. Plus they will show you how to make a
fabulous dessert! Executive Chef, Ned Grieg, will make it fun and delicious.
Cost: M: $85  N/M: $100

www.gecgreenwich.org  ~  Phone: 203-869-9242

Email:
gec@gecgreenwich.org

Mail: P.O. Box 1600, 130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT 06807

Garden Education Center of Greenwich | 130 Bible Street | P.O. Box 1600 | Cos Cob | CT | 06807

OVER: THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE
AT THE TIPPING POINT
A Lecture and Visual Journey by Alex S. MacLean

On Friday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m., take a visual journey with author, pilot, and photographer Alex S. MacLean.

Using dramatic aerial photographs, his book, OVER: The American Landscape at the Tipping Point, catalogs our culture’s excessive use of energy and natural resources, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions.

MacLean is the recipient of the American Academy of Roma Prix de Rome Award. His book of powerful photographs compels us to reconsider how we live, work, and play, and reveals that our future depends on our commitment to use our land and resources wisely.?
The event will be held in the Cary Institute auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, New York. For more information, call (845) 677-7600×121 or e-mail freemanp@caryinstitute.org. Books will be available for purchase by Merritt Bookstore.

Events are free and open to the public

Copyright© 2009 Cary Institute | Cary Institute PO Box AB, 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook, New York 12545-0129 | 845 677-5343

Here’s a link to the nybg blog, with a post from Sarah Lusardi about how the school helped her floral design business.