By Vernita Saunders

I’m a gardener but I don’t plant many flowers and I don’t grow any vegetables.

Although I love flowers and getting my hands dirty it hurts to see them die from some unknown reason. This is why I decided to enter the Master Gardener program. I want to be a lifeline for plants, not the kiss of death.

It also hurts to see them get eaten by deer. I know deer need food just like humans, but I don’t want my hard work trying to keep my plants alive to be sacrificed. I’ve been discouraged from making my yard the gorgeous garden of my dreams because of my deer problem. They eat everything. Or so I thought. I did some research and learned that deer hate fuzzy, prickly plants and plants with strong scents. For example, the Blue Glow globe thistle (Enchinops bannaticus) is deer resistant and attracts bees. I continued to search the internet for deer resistant flowers and shrubs. Some of the ones I liked include the Bigleaf Goldenray (Ligularia dentata) , Daffodil (Narcissus), Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) and the Bluebeard (Caryopteris ). I envision a garden with stone pathways that make a semi- circle through the yard. Along the back fence is a row of 6 ft tall blooming shrubs, maybe hydrangea. Then a row of 4 ft tall flowers then alternating bushes with texture and color. I’m intrigued by iron artifacts in the garden and wooden benches to add character and interest.

All this is doable if not for the deer. I don’t want to put so much work into creating a garden that will get trampled and eaten. I never considered growing my own vegetables until I started the Master Gardener program. Now, less than halfway through the program, I want to practice what I have been learning. Could I be successful growing vegetables in grow bags? With all the knowledge I have absorbed in a short time I feel like I can. But I still need a solution for the deer. I have been brainstorming ways to keep the deer out of my garden. Someone suggested putting up a taller fence. Seems like a logical solution but that would be too expensive. I considered raised beds with the netting and post to cover the crops. But would that be enough to deter a hungry deer? For that matter multiple hungry deer? I envision them tearing through the netting and eating everything I worked so hard to grow. Recently I had an idea that a greenhouse would not be so easily penetrated. Could I actually grow some produce to put my new skills to the test?

I would like to grow crops like cherry tomatoes, green onions, cucumbers and jalapeno peppers. I know normally a greenhouse is used for preparing seedlings for permanent planting or for areas with much colder temperatures than ours, but could it also be used as I envision? Would I be able to grow a few vegetables if I start a little earlier in the spring or a little later in the fall to avoid the hottest days of summer?

The logic works for me. But it would still be expensive. Other things to consider would be assembly, placement, and security. Once these issues are resolved I would need to consider if I wanted ventilation, lighting and/or heat for the cooler months. So many options to consider. I’m concerned it wouldn’t get a lot of use and if the cost would justify my experimental gardening. I’m hesitant to make a rush to purchase something without having all the answers and a solid plan. For now, I will focus on finishing the program and find my niche in the world of gardening. I’m excited! And I’ll continue to prepare for the garden I plan to have one day.

Vernita Saunders, an intern in the 2023 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymag.org or email capcitymag@gmail.com