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Get the Buck Out of My Yard
Have you ever been standing there admiring your gardens when a deer walks in and decides it is time for lunch? So have we.
They are the wild and majestic creatures of Whidbey Island, often found in the peaceful pastures of Ebey’s Landing or beneath the cooling tree shade of the state parks. They are elegant, graceful, mesmerizing… and frankly a pain in the arbor.
Oh deer, oh deer, oh deer.
Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE our Whidbey Island deer and are grateful to live in a place where wildlife feels welcomed. However, if you’ve been working hard cultivating that garden all year long, the last thing you are interested in is a handful of fauna munching on the fruit of your labor. To top it off, deer can carry ticks with Lyme disease which can be extremely harmful to both humans and their dogs.
Sorry Bambi, but no one messes with mans’ best friend.
We’ve done a little research and decided to give you a hand with those pretty, yet pesky visitors.
5 pro-tips to get the grazers out of your garden.
- Cut ‘em Off! – It might seem like the most obvious solution, but fences are always a great first step to keeping out unwanted guests. Although deer are great jumpers, the additional effort required might just be enough of a deterrent. < We’re all a little lazy.
- Don’t Plant Tasty Treats – Deer LOVE plants rich in nutrients, moisture, and basically anything else your doctor said you should eat more of. This includes almost all produce plants as well as leafy ivy and bright, water-filled flora. Instead of these, try planting pungent flowers like lavender with greenery that is thorny, hairy, or prickly. You can also use these less desirable plants as a natural barrier for the tastier ones. If all deer see and smell is lambs’ ear and snapdragons, odds are they won’t investigate much further.
- Let Rover Out More – Chances are your dog is like most others and DOES NOT see grazing deer as welcome guests. Barking dogs are a big deterrent for deer. Who wants to eat with someone yelling at you? Eventually, the deer will likely decide your home isn’t a safe place to eat and won’t return.
- Shine a Light on the Situation – Deer are more skittish than the commitment-phobe you dated in college. Installing motion-sensitive floodlights can often leave a deer stunned and anxious to get away as fast as they can.
- Live a Little! – Although we might find them beautiful and nice to look at, deer aren’t that excited about us. Chances are if a deer sees you out and about in the yard they will simply turn around and find someone else’s garden to plunder. So, get outside more! See this as an opportunity to re-imagine your yard and incorporate more outside living space. Your health and your hydrangeas will thank you.
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Coupeville Garden Club Virtual Plant Sale – 2021
How to Spend a Weekend on Whidbey Island During Each Season of the Year
Whidbey Island visitors know that they can come back time and time again and always see and do something new, and depending on the time of year you visit, this is especially true! Each season brings something special to discover, and whether you’re visiting in the heart of winter or in the middle of a hot summer, our island is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
In this post, we’re sharing our recommendations for where to stay, where to eat, and what to do depending on the season!
How to Spend a Winter Weekend on Whidbey Island
- Stay: Snuggle up in a picturesque cabin at Captain Whidbey. Nestled on the Penn Cove waterfront, this historic inn offers cute cabins, Scandanavian-inspired rooms, a lodge, a restaurant, and an idyllic setting perfect for relaxation.
- Eat: Oystercatcher is always cozy, and this tiny restaurant is easier to get a reservation at in the winter. Request a window table and look out over Coupeville and Penn Cove! We also recommend heading to Saltwater Fish House and Oyster Bar—its dark, cozy atmosphere is perfect for the winter.
- To Do: Bundle up and enjoy shopping in our many cute downtown areas. We especially recommend strolling through Downtown Oak Harbor, Downtown Coupeville, and Downtown Langley.
How to Spend a Spring Weekend on Whidbey Island
- Stay: The Inn at Langley offers a totally luxe waterfront experience! The guest rooms, suites, and cottages offer waterfront views, and you can indulge in spa packages and fine dining without leaving the indulgent comfort of the inn. Plus, the immaculately maintained grounds are lovely and filled with vibrant blossoms to enjoy.
- Eat: Visit Flower House Cafe at Bayview Farm & Garden for breakfast or lunch, and check out the iconic Laburnum Arbor when it’s in bloom while you are there. For dinner, head to Ultra House, a hole-in-the-wall type of place and an absolute gem. If you love ramen, it’s okay to set your expectations extremely high when you visit Ultra House—they aim to impress the palate.
- To Do: Spend some time exploring Whidbey Island’s stunning gardens. Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank features scenic trails surrounded by a huge variety of plants and flowers. Meerkerk is especially known for their rhododendrons, which bloom from early to late spring.
How to Spend a Summer Weekend on Whidbey Island
- Stay: Comforts of Whidbey is a summertime oasis, and views of vineyards, bucolic pastures, and the shimmering Puget Sound are aplenty. This bed and breakfast is also conveniently a winery, so you can enjoy their wines in the tasting room before you head upstairs to your lodgings.
- Eat: Callen’s Restaurant is right on the water in Coupeville, and not only do they have excellent food, they are close to the ferry to Port Townsend in case you are island hopping. In Langley, the Prima Bistro upstairs deck offers a gorgeous space to enjoy French-inspired Northwest fare, and you can finish off the evening at Captain Whidbey Inn’s outdoor deck. Captain Whidbey offers phenomenal views + delicious cocktails.
- To Do: One thing on Whidbey Island that’s only available during warmer months is kayaking tours with Whidbey Island Kayaking. You can choose from several different types of tours—head out on a half-day adventure paddling to see wildlife and classic PNW scenes, go on a guided bird-watching kayak tour, or even head out at night for a memorable bioluminescence kayaking tour.
How to Spend an Autumn Weekend on Whidbey Island
- Stay: Auld Holland Inn offers a totally unique experience in Oak Harbor. This old-world gem features Dutch architecture, beautiful gardens, charming accommodations, and an onsite restaurant.
- Eat: For a pricey but memorable experience, Orchard Kitchen is known for their rustic, “farm-to-table” experience. During non-COVID times you can enjoy family-style dinners at community tables.
- To Do: Whidbey Island is known for its many small farms, and autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy our bountiful harvests. Sherman’s Pioneer Farm is a popular destination for locals this time of year, and you can take a tractor tour through the pumpkin patch, stock up on fresh local produce, and meet the resident cows, all in a festive fall atmosphere.
For more Whidbey Island recommendations, keep exploring our blog!
A Trip to Langley
Plan your Trip to Langley
A Little History Before You Plan Your Trip to Langley
On the southern side of Whidbey Island along the Saratoga Passage lies the lovely little town of Langley. With a population of just over one thousand, this quaint town is home to a creative culture and endless entertainment.
Langley’s history has led to its unique and diverse culture. Established in 1891, Langley served as South Whidbey’s trading center for all types of goods with the wharf connecting island merchants to Everett and Seattle. In the 60s and 70s, that same wharf brought in a wave of hippies who would forever shift the culture of South Whidbey.
Although Langley’s docks no longer see the traffic they once did, downtown is filled with remnants of the original trades-town married beautifully with the artistic culture of the mid-century hippies. It’s quite a treat to visit. If you get the chance to spend a day in Langley and aren’t sure what to do, you’re in luck! We’ve created an itinerary for the perfect one-day trip in Langley. Just don’t forget your mask and keep a social distance!
Itinerary for Day Trip to Langley
Coffee at Useless Bay
Enjoy some amazing early morning coffee from this local roaster to give yourself an extra boost at the beginning of your day. Between the friendly baristas, great drinks, and buzzing atmosphere you’ll be excited to return to this cafe over and over.
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Breakfast at The Braeburn
BEST. BREAKFAST. EVER. Or at least it’s hard to top. The Braeburn has an amazing assortment of breakfast choices ranging from light and sweet pastries to hearty mashes and breakfast burritos. There’s something for everyone!
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Morning Stroll Down Seawall Park
When you make your way out of The Braeburn you might consider taking a stroll down Langley’s Seawall Park. This seaside park is full of beautiful art that pays tribute to past island tribes and a walking path to help you get the most out of the beautiful view.
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Lunch at Ultra House
Ready for lunch? This ramen house is tucked away in the dead center of Langley village and serves absolutely incredible food! Enjoy slurping noodles and sipping broth and feeling like you’re another world away.
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Ice Cream at Sprinklz
What better way to end lunch than with some sweets?! Sprinklz is a local favorite when it comes to ice cream. It’s hard to beat their fun store or their incredible old fashioned ice cream.
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Explore Downtown and the Star Store
Even though a few of the Langley shops have closed their doors during the pandemic, The Star Store alone could keep anyone’s attention for quite some time. This century-old mercantile seamlessly transitions from produce to products and more.
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End the Night at the Taproom at Bayview
What better way to end the night than with some comfort food and a good beer? Bayview Taproom provides that and much more. You’ll love this community watering hole for its juicy burgers, kind servers, and joyful atmosphere.
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