deer Archives - Linda Nelson

MY CAMERA WENT KAPUT

I have been using a “little girl” “dummy” camera since I started my blog four years ago. It was also four years ago that I purchased a “big girl” camera cashing in my credit card rewards points, and did nothing more with it other than open the box, take a look and pack it back in the box. That’s earned me an L+ in Lame and Lazy studies.

Well, just last month my trusty little dummy went kaput, and I’ve been so anxious and ornery about sitting myself down and reading the manual for how to operate my new camera. It’s a learning curve that I’ve avoided like the plague, but the time is at hand; otherwise, I’ll be publishing nothing more than wordy posts about visual subject matter. And, that wouldn’t be very visually pleasing, now would it?

Ughhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, please do pardon my photographic fumbles while I get the hang of operating this device and dub it my “big-girl smarty”.

I made these snowman buddies using quilt batting, felted wool roving and sweater remnants, some twigs and an old sock.

©Linda Nelson 2017

This assemble-it-yourself boho deer head was a fun find from a little art gallery in Montepulciano, Italy.

©Linda Nelson 2017

Good wishes to all during this Festive and Merry Holiday Season! Let’s keep the celebration of life, love, family, peace and crafting(of course!) going for as long as eternity!

APRIL IS PRUNING HYDRANGEA MONTH….

April 1, 2014

…on the east coast, that is. My work season is just kicking in, and I’ve got my pruners sharpened. Most of my clients have hydrangeas on their properties, and LOTS of them. The one pictured is mine, all mine; my little ‘Nikko Blue’ that could, that does, and that always will. Unlike the very popular ‘Endless Summer’ and others that bloom on both current and previous growth, this cultivar blooms only on the previous year’s woody growth. And I prefer that. Why? Because the woody stems do a better job at supporting the heavy, mop headed blooms. I also feel that the hue of Nikko’s blooms is more deeply saturated. My homestead’s soil happens to be acidic (and sandy); therefore, I receive blueish “gifts”.

Contrary to what many text books tell you as to the correct time for pruning the macrophylla species, April is ideal. Why? Letting the old blooms remain on the plant for the winter adds additional insulation and protection from the elements. It also discourages browsing deer from munching down the stems. By mid to late April you are able to differentiate the roundish, dense flowering buds from the slender, pointed leaf buds. This enables you to see what point to prune at, which is just above the highest flowering bud. The leafy buds can get pruned back just enough to shape the plant to your liking. I have successfully been using this method for my clients’ hydrangeas as well as my own. I also prune my paniculata hydrangeas in the spring, and boy, do I prune them hard! Come late August, the flower heads on these guys are the size of footballs. If you live in deer browsing country and your property is not securely fenced to keep those prancing beauties at bay, get started on a repellant spray routine immediately. I prefer to use Deer Out because it is people and pet friendly. It’s deer friendly, too; they just don’t like the way it tastes. Experiment to see what product works for you. Most importantly, spray regularly and diligently. For some of you, like me, that may mean more often than the product’s directions suggest; deer visit my yard on a daily basis.

APRIL IS PRUNING HYDRANGEA MONTH…. Read More »