| I'm starting my garden for the first time this spring (new home). I would like to have a garden with several varieties and lots of color, but since we have many deer & other animals in our area, I don't know what types of flowers to plant. Any suggestions? Also, when is the best time to plant? |
| When to plant really depends on what you want to plant...vegetables, flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. Also, the variety of these things. Post another question with some specifics and we will be happy to help out. Regarding the deer resistant plants, a large population of hungry deer will eat almost any plant available. Some plants may be sampled but not destroyed. However, the plants below are generally thought of as being plants deer do not prefer to eat unless they are starving! Perennials: Achillea, Artemisia, Astilbe, Campanula, Coreopsis, Dicentra, Digitalis, Erigeron, Gaillardia, Helleborus, Malva, Monarda, Stachys, Trollius, Verbena, and Tricyrtis. Some annuals include: Ageratum, Alyssum, Zinnia, Snapdragon and Lobelia. There are many more plants that are considered deer resistant so if you are thinking of something specific, feel free to post another question on the website. Also, if you need any suggestions for shrubs or trees, let us know. Planting time in New Jersey usually start in April with cool season vegetables and flowers such as broccoli, lettuce, peas and pansies. Planting trees and shrubs can begin then and last into May and June. Your last frost date is around the end of April. |
