Thursday, December 6, 2012

Join GADD: Gardeners Against Deer Damage




As in, “Eee GADDs! The deer ate everything!”

Deer don’t just snack on your shrubs.

They don’t just strip your evergreens of their foliage from the ground up leaving sad, silly looking lollypops where a lush spruce or pine used to stand.

No. Bucks also rub their antlers up and down along tree trunks, damaging the bark and the tree’s “vascular system” - its ability to move nutrients and moisture from it’s roots to its limbs and leaves.

Stop this horrific plant damage now!

Protect your plants by calling (845) 658-9007 and joining GADD.

The standard* cost for the GADD winter deer spray program is $100 and includes two applications covering up to 500 square feet.

The product we use is:

Locally Made

Contains All Natural Ingredients

Repels by Odor and Taste

Nourishing to Vegetation

Safe For Humans And Animals

& Winter Application Protects Plants From Harsh Cold and Wind

You are not powerless in the face of hungry, ravaging and rutting deer! Call Victoria Gardens and sign up for a full winter of deer protection. (845) 658-9007.

*If your garden or property is larger than 500 square feet, there will be an adjustment in price.


Join GADD:
Gardeners
Against
Deer
Damage


Deer Defeat: The buck stops here!

In the winter, when deer are desperate and will eat anything in order to survive, how do you protect your plants?

 We have found the answer, a locally made deer repellent – Deer Defeat.

 Nevia Dusman and the Deer Defeat team (located in Dutchess County, so they have the same problems with deer ravaged gardens as we do!) did an experiment with control groups one winter.
Nevia explains, “To test the spray we covered one set of evergreen bushes with burlap and a second set with wire netting.”

Then the team sprayed a third group of evergreens that were closest to the woods with Deer Defeat all natural deer, rabbit and groundhog repellent just before the first winter storm and left them uncovered.

“The location was perfect to observe the deer on a daily basis in their natural environment. The ground was coated with snow so we could also see their tracks clearly.” Nevia says.

The evergreens that were protected with burlap did not deter the deer. The hungry deer managed to push the burlap up and gain access to the branches underneath.

The evergreens that were covered with wire netting also got eaten! The deer managed to separate the netting, stick their heads in and munch away.

“The evergreens that were sprayed with Deer Defeat all natural deer, rabbit and groundhog repellent were not touched by the deer whatsoever. We saw plenty of deer at a distance from the sprayed evergreens at different times of day and the evening, but it was as if these evergreens were “invisible” to them.”

“We suggest you spray all the shrubs and any trees you want to protect with a good coating of repellent to get them ready for a long winter. You can use Deer Defeat, even if the temperature is below freezing.” Nevia says. But when it is freezing, make sure you shake the spray bottle periodically so oils in the mixture don’t clog the sprayer.

Deer Defeat will not damage your plants; instead, it will protect them from the harsh temperatures and strong winds during the cold winter months. The manufacturing process of the all natural ingredients in Deer Defeat Repellent gives it an anti desiccant property, which coats and protects the leaves from harsh sun, wind and cold without leaving visible residue. Winter use: Shake Deer Defeat well before each use. Spray in late November or before first snowfall. Make sure to coat the entire evergreen with Deer Defeat repellent. Reapply again in late January or early February.

Store Deer Defeat deer repellent products in the original container in a cool dry area, but protect from freezing.

But what if you’re not around during the winter? Or you’re busy, or you hate being outside in the cold?

Not to worry, we can do it for you!

This winter Victoria Gardens is offering a Winter Deer Spray Program, which consists of 2 applications of the long-lasting and locally made Deer Defeat products, spaced about two months apart, starting in January. The cost for the standard program is $100 for a winter of deer protection.

(If we did your fall clean up, we already sprayed Deer Defeat once in November.)

If you are doing your own deer spray program that is this schedule you should follow: November, January and March. (Be vigilant about spraying in the early winter and early spring. It will help deter deer for the whole season, because they have good memories, and without deer defeat, they will return to plants they have eaten before.)

Note: You can apply Deer Defeat repellent even in the coldest temperatures; it will not burn the leaves. The coating of the repellent will protect their leaves from the strong wind and cold. The only sensitive evergreen is Rhododendron. We suggest not to spray it during the extreme temperatures when the leaves are curled up looking more like a round pencil, it is better to wait for a day which is a bit warmer and the leaves are more open. If deer are attacking them and you must spray them during the extreme cold weather, you will notice little rust like spots on the leaves in the spring. Nothing to worry about, they will recover perfectly.

 Read more about our GADD Winter Deer Protection Program.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Holiday Garland Class This Sunday


Sunday December 2nd

11am Holiday Garland Workshop 

We’ll show you hands-on how to use greens and cuttings from your garden to create a unique holiday display for your mantle or banister.

Greens, floral wire, and a little creativity can transform your home into a winter celebration of holiday cheer.

Call 845-658-9007 to register.
Reservations necessary - $10 per person.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Just added! DIY Kissing Ball Workshop



Sunday November 25th - 11am
DIY Kissing Ball Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how easy it is to make your own holiday kissing ball, and you’ll take one home!

Reservations necessary - $35 per person.

Includes all materials and proceeds benefit the Ulster County Historical Society. 
Call 845-658-9007 to register.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Great Garden Statues


Mama turtle and her babies.




The incredible Mr. Fox.



And the best behaved dogs ever!


Come by Victoria Gardens on Rt. 213 and Cottekill Road to see all the other all-weather, animal garden statues: deer, pigs, cats, snails, frogs, and more!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Felted Mice and Miniatures


We're all a little in love with these hand-felted mice! And by a happy accident they are the perfect scale for our dish garden miniatures. Cafe tables, garden gates, watering cans, even bicycles and wagons!










Monday, October 22, 2012

New addition: Miniature Dish Garden Class November 11th!

We have some really great hands-on workshops coming up in November and December:

Sunday November 4th - - 11am Class - Hypertufa Workshop Guest instructor Cheryl Alloway

November 4th at 11am, guest instructor Cheryl Alloway will show you just how easy it is to DYI beautiful planters. The class is $20 and you leave the class with the planter you made, as well as the know-how to make more! Cheryl will also talk about what types of plants are most adaptable to these planters. Bring rubber gloves (dishwashing type), we’ll supply the rest. Call 845-658-9007 to register. Reservations necessary – $20 per person. Includes material cost. 


Sunday November 11th - - 11am Class – Miniature Dish Garden Workshop (An Abridged Fairy Class) 

And for all of you who missed our Fairy Day in March, we are having a miniature dish garden workshop on November 11th. We will show you hands-on how to create a dish garden, while Laura Wyeth provides a background on flower fairy lore. Call 845-658-9007 to register. Reservations necessary – $35 per person. Space is limited, so call today! Includes 14” terracotta dish, soils, plants and mosses. (Miniature decorations sold separately.)










Aren't they too cute?

Then in December:

Sunday December 2nd - 11am Holiday Garland Workshop

Have you always wanted to use greens and cuttings from your garden to create a unique holiday display for your mantle or banister? We’ll show you how! Greens, floral wire, and a little creativity can transform your home into a winter celebration of holiday cheer.
Reservations necessary - $10 per person. Call 845-658-9007 to register.


Sunday December 16th - 11am Table Dressing Class

Welcome your holiday dinner guests with table settings that add sparkle and cheer to any holiday celebration. Victoria will demonstrate how to use holiday ornaments and greens to create a unique holiday display for your table. Create centerpieces and conversation starters, place cards and favors.
Reservations necessary - $10 per person. Call 845-658-9007 to register.

Sign up today to reserve your spot.
 


Thursday, October 18, 2012

What's that plant? Brugmansia

What's this plant? And what's that smell?


The bud unfurls...


And the flower releases an amazing scent at the end of the day.


Brugmansia is a tropical flowering tree that has long, trumpet-shaped, downward facing flowers (thus the the common name: Angel's Trumpet). And besides being beautiful, these blooms exude an amazing fragrance in the evenings. 



 The sweet scent is meant to attract moth pollinators in their native South America. Lucky for us, even without the tropical weather or their longed-for moths, the Brugmansia blossoms fill our building with the most amazing perfume at the end of the day. 



 It is such a treat! Stop by and smell for yourself. 

The perfume is faint in the flower during the day, and around 3pm starts to grow stronger. Take note of our October hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Saturdays 10am - 6pm Sundays 10am - 4pm 

 Visit and be inspired!



Available in yellow and peach (pictured below).


Thursday, October 4, 2012

How to repot a root bound house plant

For our video and instructions on how to repot a root-bound houseplant visit our new site: http://victoriagardens.biz/how-to-repot-a-houseplant/

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Fall berries: Cotoneaster 'Tom Thumb'


Fall fruiting shrubs are showing their true colors. Cotoneaster 'Tom Thumb' seen here in full blush.




Tom Thumb cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri 'Tom Thumb'
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 7
Mature Height: .5 -1 Feet
Mature Width: 3 Feet
Small, pale pink flowers in spring; summer leaves are lustrous; small, bright red fruit in late summer and autumn; autumn color is red.
Full sun; prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate dryness; tolerates alkaline soil, somewhat tolerant of salt.
Mature Form: Rounded shrub with slightly arching branches.
Native To: China
Soil condition: Dry,Moist, Well-Drained Moist, Wet
Tolerance: Alkaline Soil, Dry Sites, Salt,Wind 



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Virtual Garden Tour: Stonecrop Gardens: Part 3

For their Open Days Tour, the staff at Stonecrop Gardens numbers and identifies over 800 plant species throughout the 12 acres of gardens!




Salvia 'Coral Nymph'
Dahlia Pastel Orange (Single Group)

Dahlia 'City of Alkmaar' (Cactus Group)

Dahlia 'Crazy Legs' (Double Orchid Group)


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Virtual Garden Tour: Stonecrop Gardens: Part 2



On our sunset tour of Stonecrop Gardens, we approached the charming (and organized) potting shed. Surrounded by raised stone beds and trough gardens planted with tiny alpines and sedum.


Other raised stone beds were planted with juniper and sweet autumn clematis that trailed down the stone wall, tumbling along the grass like a flowering ground cover.




Sedums and alpines artfully planted in mounds inside the troughs and stone beds create miniature landscapes full of contrasting colors and texture.