Sometimes it’s exciting to see a deer, but there are definitely places we don’t want them to be–especially in front of our cars and in our gardens! Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, GA offers a beautiful variety of deer-resistant plants to help keep your garden nibble-free, but here are some other tips to keep these gentle nuisances away.

Your first step is probably deer-proof fencing. Deer are pretty stubborn, but with a little work you can deter them from bothering your garden. In addition to traditional fencing solutions, consider stringing fishing wire around your garden. Fishing wire is tough enough to repel deer, but not injure them. Plus, since it’s invisible, it won’t interfere with your view. 

Look for unpleasant smells. Deer, like many animals, live and die by their sense of smell. There are many deer repellent sprays on the market. Make sure to rotate them throughout the growing season so deer don’t get used to them. Human hair and the urine of predators will also deter deer. Also look for plants with a distinctive, lingering smell, like lavender or other herbs. Deer will try to avoid these smells because they don’t want predators to be able to smell them later.

And finally, if you have a dog, let them into the garden as often as possible! They can keep an eye out for deer when you’re not around, and deer will smell your pup even when he or she is inside and avoid the area.

Still having trouble with deer gnawing on your precious plants? Come talk to us at Whispering Springs Nursery!

Container gardening has so many advantages, especially for a beginner. You can totally control the soil and water, protect your plants from bad weather if they’re in a small enough container, and move it when you are ready for a change. And with a smaller space to care for, it’s easier to keep track of all the little factors that go into successful planting. But where exactly do you start when you want to create a container garden?

First, make sure you pick the right container. Keep in mind that different plants will require different levels of drainage and ventilation, and select accordingly. Also keep an eye on the size of your container relative to your plants–you don’t want them to feel cramped! 

Make sure you also pick the right conditions for your container garden: just like any garden, you want to make sure your plants get the right amount of sun or shade, the best soil composition, and correct water and fertilizer mixtures. Whispering Springs can help make sure you know what your plants need!

If you’re going to mix plants for the fuller appearance of a more traditional garden, look for plants that thrive when planted together. Whispering Springs in Jasper, GA has a huge selection of flowers and herbs that thrive in North Georgia. We can help you select the best plants and either plant them for you, or help you plant them in your own container.  

Come by our beautiful nursery in Jasper, GA and let’s talk about the kind of container garden you want to create!

Fairies have been popular in myths and stories for thousands of years. When the Appalachian mountains were settled by Irish and Scottish immigrants, they brought their stories with them, populating this area with fairy tales. Here are some tips for creating your very own fairy garden to honor this legacy!

• Pick a theme. Do you want to make a bright, whimsical fairy garden with lots of pinks and yellows, or maybe a darker, Gothic garden full of dark purple flowers? Make sure your fairy garden looks cohesive by planning your theme in advance. If you are working on your fairy garden with children, have them decide what kind of fairy lives there and build a garden that reflects their imaginings. 
• Add tiny furniture. Even fairies need a place to sit down! Small tables, fences, etc. can make a charming addition. Whispering Springs nursery has options for every style of fairy garden. You could even borrow a fairy-sized castle from your fish tank–they may be designed for fish, but fairies will fit too!
• Choose plants fairies will like. One of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is named Peaseblossom, and Oberon, king of the fairies, famously uses a wild pansy (called “love-in-idleness”) as a love potion. Herbs like mint, thyme, or rosemary will fill the air around your fairy garden with a magical scent!
• Choose plants that like each other. In such a small space, you don’t want half your plants to need a lot of sunlight and the other half to need a lot of shade.
• Ask us for help! At Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, Georgia we have everything you need for an enchanting fairy garden, including years of experience and expertise that we are happy to share.

Give us a call or come down to our beautiful nursery space and let’s start planning your perfect fairy garden!