For those of us who wish to be better stewards of the Earth and to live in harmony with the wildlife, gardening can be quite a challenge given how much our animal friends like what we plant. I was delighted to find a book that directly addressed how to have a successful garden in deer country: Deer in My Garden: Vol. 1: Perennials & Subshrubs (The Yucky Flower Series).
This series is a necessary companion for anyone wishing to find a balance between gardening and feeding their local deer. While it may seem that deer will try to eat almost anything, there are actually plants they will avoid. Carolyn Singer, working from her own deer-friendly gardening projects, provides the following information for each plant: Latin name, common name, description, cultural requirements (sun, soil, etc.), bloom, seasonal interest, companion plants & landscape uses, propagation, and maintenance. In other words, the reader is provided with the information necessary for designing and maintaining perennial gardens that the deer won’t destroy.
I found this book immediately useful even though I would have liked more pictures of the plants in gardens and at different stages of their lives. In fact, I found it so useful, I went out and bought the next volume in the series: Deer in My Garden: Groundcovers & Edgers Yucky Flower). I can’t wait to see what’s in Volume 3.
Rating: 4 / 5
“Deer in My Garden: The Yucky Flower Series” is a resource book of plants, specifically perennials and subshrubs, that deer won’t eat. The subtitle is partly inspired by the author’s grandson’s observation, after seeing the damage of deer grazing, that she should plant “yucky flowers” that deer won’t eat. The guide includes only plants that have been confirmed that deer won’t eat, however author Carolyn Singer offers some caveats. She shares that she has occasionally encountered plants that deer have not eaten in all her years of gardening, and then one morning, all the plants are gone. So, while the plants have been tested extensively in gardens to prove that they will not be eaten, deer are unpredictable, and there is no guarantee they will never eat the plants listed in the book.
Singer provides detailed information about each plant, and each is identified by its scientific and common name. She describes the appearance, especially colors of both flowers and leaves and the plant’s potential size. Additionally, she includes information about the best climate and growing zones, growing seasons, propagation, and which plants best compliment the given plant. Photos are provided for many of the entries, but not all.
The book is an excellent resource and handy guidebook for gardeners in regions that are heavily populated by deer. It is clear that Singer has done a great deal of research to compile the information contained in her book, and she has done significant testing to ensure that these plants are not eaten by deer.
Rating: 4 / 5
I was elated to review this book because living in Austin, Texas we are inundated with deer and they eat everything in sight. Being continually challenged by the deer in our back yard we have resorted to living with the deer and working around their environment. Carolyn Singer’s book, “Deer in My Garden, Volume 1: Perennials and Subshrubs” is our godsend.
What is really great about this book is not only is there a list of deer-resistant plants but also description with a photo, cultural requirements, companion plants and landscape uses, and maintenance. All this information gives the gardener a concise and informative avenue to create a garden that is pleasing to the eye and resisted by our four-legged neighbors.
Carolyn Singer’s “Deer in My Garden” is not only a necessary resource for gardeners with a large deer population in their area, but for beginners wanting to learn what plants are environmentally conducive to their specific area. This much needed tool is a must-have for every gardener, and for me, it’s a keeper.
Rating: 5 / 5
Carolyn Singer, has provided us with an in-depth guide to gardening, Thanks to her young grandson asking the question “Grandma, why don’t you just grow yucky flowers?” all gardeners are now lucky to have her wisdom on flowers. Chocked full of interesting facts not found in other gardening books, Singer displays a wide verity of plants, ” Deer in My Garden”, offers the reader a wealth of knowledge that even nurseries fail to provide. If like many others you stand staring at a plant wondering what to plant along beside it Carolyn, has provided a list of companion plants for each plant listed. Also she has included a plant description, cultural requirements, bloom, seasonal interest, propagation, and maintenance information for every plant. “Deer in My Garden”, contains many plants not found in other garden books that I have consulted. Also thanks to this book I have been able to identify several plants in my own garden. Singer, not only includes facts, but also personal experiences giving this book a personal flair. “Deer in My Garden”, is the first in what I’m sure is going to be an amazing series.
Carolyn Singer, has captured the essence of gardening into a single book. Whether you are an avid gardener or just a Sunday planter, this is the book for you. Many gardeners have awoke to find their prized plant has become dinner for the local wildlife, Singer has provide us with the solution to keep your garden in bloom. Do not head to the nursery without your copy of “Deer in My Garden”.
Rating: 5 / 5
For those of us who wish to be better stewards of the Earth and to live in harmony with the wildlife, gardening can be quite a challenge given how much our animal friends like what we plant. I was delighted to find a book that directly addressed how to have a successful garden in deer country: Deer in My Garden: Vol. 1: Perennials & Subshrubs (The Yucky Flower Series).
This series is a necessary companion for anyone wishing to find a balance between gardening and feeding their local deer. While it may seem that deer will try to eat almost anything, there are actually plants they will avoid. Carolyn Singer, working from her own deer-friendly gardening projects, provides the following information for each plant: Latin name, common name, description, cultural requirements (sun, soil, etc.), bloom, seasonal interest, companion plants & landscape uses, propagation, and maintenance. In other words, the reader is provided with the information necessary for designing and maintaining perennial gardens that the deer won’t destroy.
I found this book immediately useful even though I would have liked more pictures of the plants in gardens and at different stages of their lives. In fact, I found it so useful, I went out and bought the next volume in the series: Deer in My Garden: Groundcovers & Edgers Yucky Flower). I can’t wait to see what’s in Volume 3.
Rating: 4 / 5
“Deer in My Garden: The Yucky Flower Series” is a resource book of plants, specifically perennials and subshrubs, that deer won’t eat. The subtitle is partly inspired by the author’s grandson’s observation, after seeing the damage of deer grazing, that she should plant “yucky flowers” that deer won’t eat. The guide includes only plants that have been confirmed that deer won’t eat, however author Carolyn Singer offers some caveats. She shares that she has occasionally encountered plants that deer have not eaten in all her years of gardening, and then one morning, all the plants are gone. So, while the plants have been tested extensively in gardens to prove that they will not be eaten, deer are unpredictable, and there is no guarantee they will never eat the plants listed in the book.
Singer provides detailed information about each plant, and each is identified by its scientific and common name. She describes the appearance, especially colors of both flowers and leaves and the plant’s potential size. Additionally, she includes information about the best climate and growing zones, growing seasons, propagation, and which plants best compliment the given plant. Photos are provided for many of the entries, but not all.
The book is an excellent resource and handy guidebook for gardeners in regions that are heavily populated by deer. It is clear that Singer has done a great deal of research to compile the information contained in her book, and she has done significant testing to ensure that these plants are not eaten by deer.
Rating: 4 / 5
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/09)
I was elated to review this book because living in Austin, Texas we are inundated with deer and they eat everything in sight. Being continually challenged by the deer in our back yard we have resorted to living with the deer and working around their environment. Carolyn Singer’s book, “Deer in My Garden, Volume 1: Perennials and Subshrubs” is our godsend.
What is really great about this book is not only is there a list of deer-resistant plants but also description with a photo, cultural requirements, companion plants and landscape uses, and maintenance. All this information gives the gardener a concise and informative avenue to create a garden that is pleasing to the eye and resisted by our four-legged neighbors.
Carolyn Singer’s “Deer in My Garden” is not only a necessary resource for gardeners with a large deer population in their area, but for beginners wanting to learn what plants are environmentally conducive to their specific area. This much needed tool is a must-have for every gardener, and for me, it’s a keeper.
Rating: 5 / 5
Carolyn Singer, has provided us with an in-depth guide to gardening, Thanks to her young grandson asking the question “Grandma, why don’t you just grow yucky flowers?” all gardeners are now lucky to have her wisdom on flowers. Chocked full of interesting facts not found in other gardening books, Singer displays a wide verity of plants, ” Deer in My Garden”, offers the reader a wealth of knowledge that even nurseries fail to provide. If like many others you stand staring at a plant wondering what to plant along beside it Carolyn, has provided a list of companion plants for each plant listed. Also she has included a plant description, cultural requirements, bloom, seasonal interest, propagation, and maintenance information for every plant. “Deer in My Garden”, contains many plants not found in other garden books that I have consulted. Also thanks to this book I have been able to identify several plants in my own garden. Singer, not only includes facts, but also personal experiences giving this book a personal flair. “Deer in My Garden”, is the first in what I’m sure is going to be an amazing series.
Carolyn Singer, has captured the essence of gardening into a single book. Whether you are an avid gardener or just a Sunday planter, this is the book for you. Many gardeners have awoke to find their prized plant has become dinner for the local wildlife, Singer has provide us with the solution to keep your garden in bloom. Do not head to the nursery without your copy of “Deer in My Garden”.
Rating: 5 / 5