North January

The troublesome animals are deer, rabbits and pine mice. Woodchucks, fortunately, spend the winter in their burrows. The deer seem to go for the trees and shrubs which I value the most. Though all kinds of remedies are suggested to protect plants from deer, the only one that is successful here at the “Buttonwoods” is covering the plants with chicken wire. A recommended remedy for rhododendrons, yews and other evergreens is a repellent spray; it may need to be applied several times during the winter.

Two other remedies are leaving a dog in the garden or hanging small mirrors near susceptible trees and shrubs. Similar protective measures can be taken against rabbits, which are particularly fond of girdling young fruit trees. To prevent damage of this kind, encircle the base of the tree with wire mesh.

If you feel that it is cruel to deprive the bunnies of part of their winter food, you can satisfy their hunger by leaving apple prunings lying around on the ground for them.