Spring is sprung the grass is riz I wonder where the flowers iz
When we were kids we’d sing that rhyme and thought we were very clever. As a grownup, I know the rabbits are the clever ones.
The top picture from March 15 shows a bunch of crocus. Every year the rabbits mow them down. This year is no different. They ate about half the growing tips by March 15. I rarely get any blooms in this spot.
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The rabbits love the tulips too.
I carry cayenne pepper in my tool bucket when I garden. I buy the largest container I can find – usually at BJ’s or Sam’s Club.
I sprinkled some cayenne pepper on the leaves and a little on the ground around the plants when as I worked on garden cleanup. Sometimes too much causes leaf burn. It doesn't look good but it doesn't seem to damage the plant.
We are also using Deer Off by Havaheart® this year. Deer Off contains “Putrescent Whole Egg Solids, Capsaicin & Related Capsaicinoids, Garlic Oil”. Oh boy, more smelly hot stuff. We will need to reapply the Cayenne pepper and/or Deer Off after every rain.
So far we have controlled the damage. And this year - crocus blooms!
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(I’ve had a lot of inquiries about the Allentown Flower Show. Unfortunately, this show was discontinued two years ago. The Lehigh Valley Green Building Expo continues at Northampton Community College through the weekend.)
This is the weekend for Lehigh Valley Flower and Garden Show. With rain predicted for Friday night and Saturday, it’s a good way to be dry outdoors, sort of.
As promised, there are a few more plant sellers at this year’s show. Penn State Master Gardeners will be selling all the shrubs in the display. You can stop by the booth and reserve a plant but you must be there at 4:45 to pick up your plant at 5 pm on Sunday or it will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Landscaper’s sale & Lehigh Valley Florists Association auction also take place at the end of the show on Sunday.
The kids will love the train display by Lehigh Valley Large Scalers. And across the way, they will be able to landscape a model farmhouse with miniature shrubs at the Master Gardener exhibit.
Lehigh Career and Technical Institute constructed a sophisticated informational garden. Kutztown High School’s display is quite professional and includes a cold frame and gazebo.
There are booths of crafts, garden “art”, garden structures, demonstrations as well as professional landscapes.
Let’s get out of the rain and pretend it’s spring.
. (I apologize – the sidebar “About Me”, “Previous Posts” and “Archives” has moved to the bottom of this blog.)
