One of the best gifts I ever received was a summer's worth of these things - in my case dried blood and milorganite, both of which nourish the soil while helping to deter deer, Ortho's "Grass-B-Gone for the inevitable pieces of lawn that insist on invading the beds, a large bottle of Superthrive which I use for everything from transplant shock treatment to simply a vitamin boost for a less than vigorous plant, some Holly-Tone acid fertilizer for the new rhododendrons and heaths I had planted and a big double box of "once" - a time release fertilizer that goes on at the start of the season and allegedly releases its nutrients all summer long. I buy these things every year anyway - so this gift saved me the trouble. And when I needed them, everything was right there at hand.
One good source for these types of products at a good price is Home Harvest Garden Supply. Browse their site and you'll find dozens of products that are environmentally responsible as well as effective and affordable.
Since we're going into winter now, other small but practical gifts might include something to help deter the deer who get very hungry in winter and can easily devastate a planting.
One new device that seems to have all the earmarks of success is called Plant Pro-Tec Garlic Units which are little plastic tubes filled with crushed garlic that clip onto the plants you want to steer the deer away from. Believe me - the garlic scent is powerful - and deer have really sensitive noses. And even the tubes will eventually photodegrade, so it's environmentally friendly as well. They can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-572-0055.
Another critter deterrent that some gardeners favor is strong cayenne pepper sprinkled on susceptible plants. This has two drawbacks - it has to be constantly reapplied, and it is cruel to the animals that may get it in their eyes - an extremely painful experience. But Hot Pepper Wax not only sticks to whatever you spray it on for at least two weeks, but is unlikely to get into those sensitive eyes.
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