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Photos taken by my very talented friend Blake Schwier. He is a freelance photographer in the Central Jersey Area. You can view more of his work and contact him on his Blogsite at www.blakesphotosolutions.wordpress.com
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I had the honor to do the Event Coordination and some of the flowers for Nitya & Sundeeps wedding at Rasoi Banquet Hall in Monmouth Junction, on Saturday August 28th. This was my first Indian wedding and honestly it was a wonderful expeirence. Everyone was so wonderful and loving. I truly can say i enjoyed every minute!
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I have been asked a number of times which plants are deer resistant… I hear the same thing over and over again. “I just planted my garden and all the flower heads are gone!”. Well folks this is an issue that unfortunately will not go away. Its a challenge that all gardeners alike face each year especially in the Northeastern United States. There are methods to this madness that can be helpful and decrease the deer population in your yard. Lets start with a little history as to why deer may be encroaching into your property.
The White Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have inhabited this area for hundreds of years prior to disturbances and habitat fragmentation created by man as well as natural causes. Dramatic urbanization and development fragments the habitat available for wildlife species therfore deer densities often exceed ecosystem carrying capacity in remnant natural areas.
Studies have shown that landscape composition, deer density, and food availability effects and determines a deer’s home range characteristics. If deer densities exceed ecosystem carrying capacity, intraspecific competition increases and available food resources decrease. Hypothesizing that the combination of small preserved “fragmented” forested land for habitat, overbrowsed vegetation prompted deer to expand habitat into residential areas, YOUR YARD!! Fertilized lawns, flowers, shrubs, and ornamental plants provide nutritious food for urban deer. Additionally, competition for fawning sites in high-density areas may force subordinate females into neighboring areas to raise fawns. In laymans terms….Fragmentation due to human growth and urban sprawl have created smaller habitats for deer to graze and mate. Therefore increasing their population and deer density per square mile.
Ok so now that we are ALL experts lets discuss some methods to deter deer from your property. Deer pretty much LOVE anything that smells sweet and looks AWESOME. Here are some natural ways to deter deer from your yard that are safe for you, other wildlife and your pets:
1. Get a Fence. If you REALLLLLLY love your garden that much then put up a fence! If you REALLLLY love your yard then put up Fort Knox! Just kidding. Fencing is probably the best way to keep deer out of your yard and out of your flower beds. You can choose to use traditional board on board fencing (but at least 10 to 12 feet tall.. which may not fly with your township or development) or if you are looking for the extreme then you can get specialized deer fencing. (not so pretty) but may be good for those of you that have many beautiful acres of untouched land.
2. Human Hair Some people have found this to work really well. Sometimes combined with egg shells and egg yolk.
3. Liquid Fence Available at www.liquidfence.com, is a nontoxic mix of egg and garlic that lasts a month before it has to be renewed.
4. Plant Deer “Deterring or Tolerate” plants. Below is Bowman’s Hills Wildlife Preserve’s site. They provides a great list of Deer Tolerate & Resistant plants and are well known in the Landscape and Environmental Preservation industry.
Bowman’s Hills http://www.bhwp.org/native/impact_of_deer.htm
Another great list was put together by the Rutgers Agriculture Department. They have broken down native and non native plants into subsections by intensity of damage.
A = Rarely Damaged
B = Seldom Severely Damaged
C = Occasionally Severely Damaged
D = Frequently Severely Damaged
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/
5. Carnivore Urine Fox urine may be easy to find at your local garden center and is also available at www.predatorpee.com
6. Netting. I have found that the netting works fairly well. Once the deer know that they can’t get to the plants they will usually give up and move on to your neighbors yard. You can purchase the netting from your local garden center as well.
Honestly, if a deer is hungry they will eat ANYTHING. Just remember WHY they are in your yard!
Please leave comments or suggestions!
Thanks!
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Well looks like Valentine’s Day is nearing! Most people in special relationships will stick with traditional gifts such as flowers, candies and a nice romantic expensive dinner. I think the best way to show someone that you love them is by treating each and everyday as if it were Valentine’s Day. I’ve always been unsure as to why we as American’s dedicate ONE day to love your significant other or family members. Everyday should be a special loving day! Also remember this Hallmark holiday is for everyone! NOT just the ones in a relationship, but for all. Love your family, love your mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, grandparents, cats, dogs, and especially YOURSELF!!! In honor of the holiday, I have included some links that may help the creative lover or family member for some great ideas & tips!
** Remember, if you are getting flowers, you are not the only one! so think ahead… call your local florist at least 1 week ahead and place the order with them so they are prepared and can ensure you will the best of quality! Also if you have something specific in mind you will need to realize that you may pay more than what you would normally. so try to keep it simple. Less is more sometimes 
**
Ohh and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FLORISTS!!! Here are some great florists in the Central NJ area that I personally love and have worked closely with.
http://www.viburnumdesigns.com
http://www.gildedlilyflorist.com/
http://www.martinsvilleflorist.com/
http://www.floweramanj.com/belleville-florist/valentines-day-flowers-94c.asp
http://redwoodflorist.net/default.aspx
www.celebrations.com/valentines-day
http://www.marthastewart.com/holidays
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I would say that this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the smells that fill the home during this season and the beautiful holiday decor. But it is certainly not easy to buy all the presents and all the decorations that we were able to only a couple years ago. Life as we know it has changed and honestly we all must make the best of it. This is the perfect opportunity to bring our families together and celebrate the joy of the holidays. The love we feel during the holidays can last for the entire year! Since I seem to have a running trend on ways to save money, here are some more links to some of my favorite sites with great holiday ideas to do with the entire family!
http://http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/holiday-place-settings
http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-gifts-cards-decorations/christmas-decorations
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/easyxmasdecorate
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Oh NO! Only a couple more days till Halloween!!! Are you still looking for a costume?! or you’ve been working so much at the office you need some quick ideas to make your home ghostly, and haunted? Well check out some of these websites, they have great ideas and concepts that will also save you money!
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-parties
http://www.celebrations.com/halloween-party-ideas
http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/pumpkins
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