Protecting Veggie and Flower Gardens from Animals

It is that time of year, well for those of us who live in regions with limited growing seasons anyway – the time of year when the garden beds that we labored over, and the ground we’ve broken up begins to bring forth its bounty. Not far behind the early vegetables and flowers inevitably come the rabbits, deer and other animals hoping for an herbaceous smorgasbord. After putting so much of yourself into tilling the ground, fertilizing the beds, carefully planting seeds and transplanting tender seedlings, it can be quite devestating to go outside to check on the progress and see whole rows of buds missing and plants stripped of leaves by voracious animal pests. What can be done to prevent this wanton destruction? There is a an answer, a proven one – predator urine. Obviously, we use it ourselves at Winterberry Farm, and we sell lots and lots of bottles to people all over the world, but if that’s not enough to convince you, here’s some recent press recommending the use of predator urine to keep animals out of the garden in a safe way:

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Garden beds at Winterberry Farm

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/protect-vegetable-garden-animals

“Predator Urine

You can buy predator urine online or at your local gardening shop. Usually, predator urine is more specifically, wolf urine. It keeps vegetable-predators — like deer — at bay because of its foul smell. Deer will smell the wolf’s urine, think a predator is nearby, and steer clear of your veggie garden.” stephanie osmanski

Sure Signs of Spring: Chicken Wrangling and PeeMan in the Garden

Greetings!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. We owe a deepest debt of gratitude to those men and women who have fought and died in the fight to keep our great country free. Thank you.

Well, it is 58 degrees out. No worries about getting the air conditioners in any time soon. I haven’t even thought about getting the pool ready(and I am usually ready for it in April!). Spring is definitely taking her sweet time this year. We have had plenty of moisture but sunshine has been a rare commodity. However, certain events of this past weekend are undeniable indicators of Spring’s return(however reluctant) – the 8 chicks were moved out of their “chickubator” and into the hen house.

First day in hen house

First day in hen house

That was the easy part.

New Chicken Run

New Chicken Run

Getting Brown Betty and The Amish Hen into their new spacious digs was a bit more challenging.

It involved some tricky manuevering, some edible motivation, and a little coaxing with a badminton racket, but I am pleased to announce that the girls are now enjoying a much bigger run and spacious hen condominium.

Secondly, last year’s pig sty(R.I.P Stanley)was disassembled and a new, much more luxurious and commodious pen was built in a new location in anticipation of the arrival of 2 piglets.

New pig digs

New pig digs

The environmentally conscious man that I am, I simply couldn’t let all that rich, nutrient filled earth left behind by pig pen #1 go to waste.  So, that is now officially the PeeMan’s garden patch. Since it is mine, and it is hidden  so as not to offend my wife’s aesthetic sensibilities, I get to grow what I want in it, so the corn has been planted and squash and pumpkins will soon follow.

PeeMan's garden

PeeMan’s garden

My daughter has also laid claim to some of the land for her own garden this year and the peas and lettuce have already been planted. As soon as the seeds sprout, the WolfPee will be put around the garden plot to protect the tender shoots from any hungry animals.

Pea trellis

Pea trellis

Well, that just about brings things up to date here at the PeeMan’s farm. I hope it is warm and sunny where you are, and don’t forget to protect your gardens this summer with 100% PredatorPee – Accept no substitutes!

Until I find more words . . .The PeeMan