Gardening
Protect Your Landscape from Hungry Critters
Deer can wreak havoc on landscapes and research has proven that odor-based repellents are more effective than other repellents at keeping deer and other critters from eating your plants.
Photo credit: Melinda Myers, LLC
While you’re busy filling your landscape with beautiful flowers and scrumptious vegetables, the deer, rabbits and other wildlife are watching and waiting to move in to dine. Don’t lose your beautiful investment to hungry animals. Be proactive in keeping wildlife at bay, so you can grow a beautiful landscape this season.
Protect plants as soon as they are set in the ground. It’s easier to prevent damage rather than break a habit. Once critters find delicious plants, they will be back for more and they’re likely to bring along a few additional family members.
A fence is an excellent defense against animals. A four-feet-high fence anchored tightly to the ground will keep out rabbits. Five-feet-high fences around small garden areas will usually keep out deer that tend to avoid smaller spaces.
Woodchucks are more difficult. They will dig under or climb over the fence. You must place the fence at least 12" below the soil surface with four to five feet above ground. Make sure gates are secured so animals can’t squeeze through or under these. The last thing you want is an animal happily living and dining inside your fenced in garden.
For gardeners who do not want to spend the money on fencing or view their flowers and other ornamental plantings through a fence, there are other options.
Scarecrows, rattling pans and other scare tactics have been widely used for decades. Unfortunately, urban animals are used to noise and human scent and not discouraged by these tactics. You must move and alternate the various scare tactics to increase your chance of success.
Repellents may be your best and most practical option. Always check the label for details on use, application rates and timing. Research has proven that odor-based repellents are more effective than other types of repellents. Wildlife will avoid plants rather than taking a bite before they discover they don’t like the taste.
Look for organic repellents labeled for use on food plants when treating edibles. Plantskydd (plantskydd.com) is the only OMRI certified organic repellent and is effective against rabbits, deer, voles, elk, moose, chipmunks and squirrels. It is rain resistant and each application lasts three to four months during the growing season.
Maximize results by treating new growth according to label directions. Most liquid repellents need time to dry while granule repellents may need to be watered to activate the smell. Always check the label for the product you are applying.
Protect new tree whips by dipping them in a long-lasting liquid repellent. Mature trees will benefit as well. Treat them prior to bud break or two to three weeks after leaves have developed.
Continue to monitor plantings throughout your landscape all season long. Watch for animal tracks, droppings and other signs wildlife have moved into your area. Protect new plantings and those favored by wildlife before they start dining on your plants. Always be as persistent as the hungry animals.
If you’re ever feeling discouraged, remember that gardeners have been battling animals in the garden long before us and there are lots of options to help protect your flowers and harvest.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care Products for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Antiques
Golden Age Comic Books
Detective Comics #27, including the first appearance of Batman.
My last two columns were on Modern Age, Bronze Age, and Silver Age comic books. This column focuses on the Golden Age of comic books, which took place from 1938 to 1956. Golden Age comic books are older and typically more valuable than the others I discussed in previous columns.
Prior to comic books pulp magazines were popular. They used brightly colored covers and sensational stories to attract readers. The paper was made of cheap wood pulp that now has usually become yellow and brittle. Tarzan, Sam Spade and Zorro appeared in pulp magazines. The Shadow was one of the most popular characters and appeared in 326 issues from 1931 to 1939 according to Britannica.
Looney Tunes, adventure, mystery and other genres appeared in Golden Age comic books, but superheroes were very popular and are the most valuable today. D.C. Comics introduced Superman in 1938. According to Britannica, writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster were unable to sell Superman as a daily series to newspaper syndicates. “DC then took an enormous risk in 1938 by publishing the untried character, given the depressed economic climate of the day,” Britannica writes. Action Comics # 1 featuring Superman sold very well and DC Comics grew into a highly successful company.
According to PBS’ History Detectives, Captain Marvel by Wizz Comics was a very popular character during the 1940’s, often outselling Superman. Comic book sales increased during World War II. “They were cheap, portable and had inspirational, patriotic stories of good triumphing over evil,” PBS wrote. The first issue of Captain America pictured him in a stars and stripes costume battling Adolph Hitler on the cover. After the war, comic books with superheroes saw sales decrease and comics from other genres were created to help fill the void. Superhero comic books continued to be printed though. You can buy Superman comics today, over 80 years since the first issue was published.
Guinness World Records website has a timeline listing when superhero comic book characters were first introduced. Some characters may have a longer run than you might expect. The Phantom was created in 1936. Superman first appeared in Action Comics # 1 in 1938. The first comic book with Batman came out in 1939, as did Captain Marvel. 1940 saw the introduction of The Comet, The Flash, Fantomah/Woman in Red, and Justice Society of America. Captain America, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman all began in 1941.
Golden Age superhero comic books in decent condition can be worth thousands but having one in great condition can be worth a fortune. Superman first appeared in Action Comics in 1938, but Superman appeared in his own comic book in 1939. Superman issue # 1 sold for over $500,000. A 1939 Detective Comics issue # 27 with the first appearance of Batman sold for over $1 million in 2010. A high grade 1939 issue titled “Marvel Comics” by Timely Comics sold for over $1.25 million last year. Ironically, Timely Comics evolved into Marvel Comics during the 1960s. A copy of Action Comics # 1 with the first appearance of Superman went up, up and away for $3,207,852 in an online auction in 2014.
The preview for our Rutland farm auction will be held on June 20th. The address will be published on our website on June 19th. Face masks and social distancing are required during the preview and pickup. Bidding ends on June 24th. Our online only auction with estate jewelry, sterling silver, and collectibles, including some comic books, ends June 25th. There is more information on both auctions on our website.
Contact us at: Wayne Tuiskula Auctioneer/Appraiser Central Mass Auctions for Antique Auctions, Estate Sales and Appraisal Services www.centralmassauctions.com (508-612- 6111) info@centralmassauctions.com