Relocating To Saranac Lake, NY (New York, Saratoga Springs: rentals, credit, home)

[nomoresnow]

Something to consider about gardens....if there are deer in the area, they will raid your garden, and they do like a lot of different flowers (not sure about veggies, tho), so you would want to look at how to keep them out. I have a friend who has a house in Old Forge and the deer keep her from any real gardening, unfortunately. They're a beautiful animal, but it can be frustrating. SOrry to be the bearer of bad news. I don't know if the deer population is as strong in SL as it is in OF. Something to look into.

[homeward bound]

Having a dog or two around can really help quell the deer, esp. if you put the dog out either for the night in his/her own house or if you let the dog out periodically. Just the dog marking his/her territory during the day will often keep the deer away at night.

Also, I know someone who's from fairly far up in Quebec, and he did a lot of vegetable and flower gardening. His old area may be warmer than Saranac Lake--I haven't checked the stats and haven't (yet!) been to either place--but my guess is if it grows in Quebec, it will grow in Saranac Lake.

Good luck! I envy your move!

[RET-FDNY]

Wow, I am very happy that I found this Forum!

Everyone's posts are informative. It also tells me a lot about the friendliness of the people in that part of the state.

As far as the deer are concerned, we have been down that road before. Our house in the Yonkers area (of all places) was overpopulated with deer that were being displaced by over development in the few wooded areas left in that area. Greedy contractors and developers such as the Ginsburg corporation are really ruining that area and are starting to creep their way up the Hudson valley turning everything vacant into an ugly condo complex. The condos are then in filled with wining yuppies (sorry for my cynicism, but yuppies bring nothing to the table and demand everything).

The deer ate everything! My shrubs, all of my vegetable plants, and any flowers that had the nerve to emerge from the soil. Eventually my wife found some plantings that held them off a little bit, but the only way to make my sacred vegetable garden safe was to fence it in.

We now live in Garisson, NY and our gardens have been untouched due to our close proximity to Metro North's Hudson Line. The trains seem to keep them away. We also have a dog that clearly marks her territory and I am sure that helps also.

Thanks again for your postings, keep them coming!

[nomoresnow]

Homeward, I hadn't heard that about dogs. In fact, my friend's dog didn't seem to make much difference at all. But, anyway, it sounds like Ret-FDNY has already been that route.

I think you'll find that there are lots of friendlies in the area.

Me? I'm looking to spread some friendliness in FLorida. I'm looking out my window at home right now, because they closed down our office due to the weather. We're looking at somewhere between 12 and 20 inches of snow before it ends sometime tomorrow morning. If I could find a plane that was leaving, I'd probably jump on it right now!

Oh, well. It's giving hubby and me a chance to have a nice, romantic Valentine's Day afternoon/early dinner together.

[RET-FDNY]

Originally Posted by nomoresnow

Oh, well. It's giving hubby and me a chance to have a nice, romantic Valentine's Day afternoon/early dinner together.

We have the same plans,enjoy the Snow Day

[homeward bound]

It's ice and wind in SW Virginia after yesterday's sleet and freezing rain. Going to be bitter tonight with clear skies. You feel cleansed for about three seconds, the stars look like they're sparking--and then your lungs feel peeled by the dry cold and you hurry back inside. Looking out, you just see darkness--not the illusion of innocence falling upon the world.

I'd take snow's illusions and problems ANY time over ice and boring cold--and I had plenty of snow growing up in Western NY! Our neighborhood was never closer than when we were all helping each other to endure the blizzard of 1977.

By the way, hounds or hound-mixes are the best dogs to have to keep deer away, I've noticed and often been told. They'll chase deer for a good distance, have relentless noses, and put up a lot of racket doing it. However, the flip side is that they can be bad roamers and get on a scent and not come back. I remember rabbit hunting with a friend's bunch of beagles (back when I used to hunt); they were frequently taking off after deer, but the farmers nearby were happy to hear the hounds in the woods. A few, though, disappeared forever chasing deer. BUT if deer are a huge problem, having a hound or two around, putting him on a leash near the fenced garden at night, can really keep the deer away. They start baying and yowling as soon as the deer come near, and the deer seem to innately know these are dogs that will chase them.

There are also some commercially available scents that you can put down around areas you want deer-free. I've heard these work pretty well.

[JustSayNo]

Sorry to be a bit#h, but please please do not consider leaving your dog out in the day or night so far up north. Frankly, in my opinion dogs belong inside with their pack, amd in a fenced/secure area supervised. It is WAY TOO cold to keep dogs/cats outside. We have 2 feet of snow today and I know several dogs on chains in the area that are now trapped either in the dog house or can not get IN the dog house. Cruelty in one of its many forms. Ret=FDNY, I am not saying that is your plan, I know your dog is your four-legged child. I had to say something regarding that suggestion as I disagree and think it is dangerous to suggest to the average folk they get a dog and tie it up outside to keep deer away from frikin flowers. No disrespect homeward-you know you and I agree and respect each other a lot-but there are many other methods of keeping deer away-not neglecting a dog on a chain. PLUS, bear, coyote, and male deer with ATLERS is not a pleasant fight for a poor dog with a dumb owner.

Sorry, you hit a BIG sore spot-we work hard and spend lots of money helping and rehabing dogs that had the unfortunate "pleasure" of being "owned" by folks with that mentality.

[RET-FDNY]

Sorry, you hit a BIG sore spot-we work hard and spend lots of money helping and rehabing dogs that had the unfortunate "pleasure" of being "owned" by folks with that mentality.[/quote]

We would never leave our dog unattended, she is very much a ap art of our family. We are not "Dumb" dog owners.

[plattsburgher]

Hi..........You are going to see lots and lots of snow! Nice to know that you like winter sports because that is definitely going to help. It is strange that Saranac Lake is, in fact, growing.........There has been an increase in population for the past few years and it was named the best small town in the US in a magazine recently. Gardening will be a challenge, however, there are pockets and little valleys in the Adirondacks (microclimates) that the locals know about. Lots of varieties sold locally to maximize the short growing season and some people have mini greenhouses......Right now, tonight we are having a blizzard and there is about 2 feet of snow here since yesterday............although we are planning our Florida getaway, so we'll be just fine.........Good luck to you. If you enjoy four seasons and like snow and enjoy nice people, it will all work out for you.

[JustSayNo]

Originally Posted by JustSayNo

Ret=FDNY, I am not saying that is your plan, I know your dog is your four-legged child. I had to say something regarding that suggestion as I disagree and think it is dangerous to suggest to the average folk they get a dog and tie it up outside to keep deer away from frikin flowers.

FDNY, I know that, please see above. As I said, I know that you and your wife will not do this, BUT I wanted to put the point out there for everybody and anybody else reading this thread. It was a general "couter-point" to the suggestion to use a dog tied out back to keep the deer from eating the flowers.

I have read your posts, I know you refer to your pup as your only "child" and that is why I made the statement quoted above in my first post. I am sorry that that was mis-read! And I am sorry that that subject is SUCH a sore spot in me-I believe humans are LUCKY to have the companionship of dogs and cats, it is an honor that should be earned, not given in this ugly and "in-humane" world today that we live in.