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Annuals/Impatients

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Expert: - 6/9/2006


Question
I live in the lower peninsula of Michigan.

I just bought five flats of impatients which I will plant in 3-4 different flower beds.  I normally plant petunias where I'm puting these impatients.  My neighbor informed me on yesterday that the rabbits and deer are destroying her petunias before she gets them out of the flat.  Are there any suggestions for impatients or are they not part of rabbits' and deer' appetites?  If so, what can I spray to discourage eating of my flowers.

Answer
Joe,
Unfortunatly, deer do love impatiens.  If you have deer that regularly browse your garden, you might try one of the assorted deer repellants that are available.  Liquid fence, Deer Off, and Coast of Maine Fermented Salmon have proved effective in tests.  These get sprayed on the plants.  There is also Critter Ridder that you sprinkle around the area, and garlic clips that you clip onto plants.

Ususally, people find that switching repellents now and again keeps them away better than just sticking with one.

I hope this helps!

C.L.

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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