Garden Questions and Answers

My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~H. Fred Ale

Today I have more questions and answers.

Can Lantanas be grown from seeds? Also, does anyone know where we could get the old time Pearson tomato seed.? ~Selma

Pearson, and many other heirloom tomato seeds, can be found at www.rareseeds.com, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed.

Lantanas can be grown from seed but it's not easy, which is why most gardeners propagate it. The seed should be as fresh as possible. Sow from now until the summer in trays or pots at 1/8 inch deep at a temperature of 70-75 degrees. To help the seed along, soak it in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. It's slow to germinate, so it may take awhile. I'm also guessing from what I read that many of them will fail, so plant extra.

Could you suggest plants and shrubs that the deer won't eat? Even if I can't plant yet I still want to plan! ~Elaine

First thing to remember, nothing is ever 100% deer proof if they are hungry enough. But, many plants are not appealing to them if they have other things to nibble on. You'll notice a lot of herbs in the resistant category: santolina, spearmint, thyme, rosemary, most sage plants, Mexican oregano, tansy, yarrow, and lavender are among them. Some perennials that are also unappetizing to deer are foxglove, joe-pye weed, anemones, astilbe, butterfly weed, bellflower and periwinkle. This should give you a good start on planning!

More from a reader:

I worked and gardened at a state park in Wyoming that was filled with deer and elk, the occasional moose or bear. I found that deer won't touch these plants unless they are starving, and maybe not then: gaillardia, Yarrow, delphinium, iris, most poppies, catmint,catnip, wormwood. They won't eat the foliage of Chrysanthemums but they will nip off the flowers like candy. The same is true of columbine. I give talks all over Wyoming and Colorado about growing and cooking with herbs. One thing I have found is that deer have local tastes. In Cody they won't touch sage and in Thermopolis they will eat it to the ground. In Golden they use basil and garlic planted around the edge of their gardens to keep the deer out. Here in Cody, they would think you had prepared them a feast. I don't find the same thing with flowers that I do with herbs. Generally the same flowers are considered non edible all over the country. ~Cheryl

Learn how to grow Joe-Pye-Weed on OFL:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/joe-pye-weed.html