HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: We have a lot of deer in our neighborhood. I love watching them. However, they are messing up my garden. Any hints for deterring them?
— Sammie in Texas DEAR READER: Well, yes and no. When they are hungry or starving, they will eat just about anything. During the severe drought here in Texas a few years back, I simply gave up. I planted cactus in some pots out front — they ate them! I resorted to fake flowers.
First to consider, do you feed them? That may sound like a simple answer, but if deer learn that dinner is served daily, your place is the place to go.
Depending on what kind of garden you have and how large it is, think about fencing. If you have a vegetable garden, chicken wire may be all you need. If you are talking about landscaping and shrubs and flowers, you may want to adjust what you have planted.
Find out what deer- resistant plants do well where you live. Notice I said “deer- resistant,” not “deer- proof”! Check with a garden center where you live — they will know what’s best to do.
I even tried lion urine, which is sold as a repellent. It sort of worked, for a while. As soon as it rained, time to reapply. Good luck.
DEAR HELOISE: My two teenage children have smartphones. They used to be able to download apps and music on their phones. Not anymore. One month, I got a huge phone bill. Now I give them a gift card for the online store with a set amount each month. That is all there is to spend. Once it is gone, there is no more money. They can add to it with their own money if they want to. No more surprise bills for me.
— Tina, via email DEAR READER: It’s amazing how, when it’s their money ( and a set amount) to spend, they think twice about buying some things.
DEAR HELOISE: This is in response to not planting too much in your garden because your friends and family can only handle so much. My husband and I always overplant so that we can share our surplus with local food pantries. They appreciate the fresh vegetables for their hotmeal programs as well as their food giveaways.
— Laura, via email DEAR READER: Thanks for doing so, Laura, and I hope my readers will take your hint.
Send a money- or time- saving hint to Heloise, P. O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279- 5000; fax to ( 210) 435- 6473; or email