Tips for Hardy Gardeners: Protecting your plants from marauding bands in late winter

The temperatures this week may suggest spring thaw, but don't be too confident. Considering that the Northland received a new foot of snow last week, and that the months of March and April still lie ahead, we all know too well there is plenty of winter left. The new snow puts the bark of shrubs and trees further up the trunks at new risk from (what Tom Kasper aptly describes as) "marauding bands" of deer, rabbits, and mice. It may be worth inspecting your yard vegetation to see if adding some new fence and/or tree wrap around your shrubs and trees is warranted.