In NYC, a tree pit is a rectangular patch of barren dirt around a tree, usually around 4' x 3' that is completely surrounded on all sides by the concrete sidewalk that runs down the length of the street and asphalt roadway that is the street itself. These trees do surprisingly well in the face of pollution, urinating dogs, and litter.

Today I had the task of removing all of the existing sad little non-blooming plants around two tree pits on West 19th Street. I have to admit that I was not looking forward to the task, since the soil in most of these instances is rock hard, with tree roots making digging holes for new plantings exceptionally difficult. And then there's the dog pee to contend with.

I came prepared today with a pick axe, handsaw, and loppers, but I was pleasantly surprised to find lush, deep, plentiful soil, in which I was easily able to plant a small evergreen hedge of Japanese hollies (with small oval-shaped leaves similar to boxwoods) around the perimeter of each tree pit. The soil did not smell of pee, although I did use a shovel and gloves and avoided touching it directly just in case.

It came out looking really nice. Several people stopped to compliment the job I was doing, and I was really pleased at how unexpectedly sweet and friendly New Yorkers can be in even the smallest of garden settings.

My client asked about using a dog-repellent spray to keep the new plants from being disturbed unduly (and excessive amounts of urea can in fact be fatal to plants). I told him I thought it was worth a shot, since I have seen deer-repellents work at my home in the Poconos mountains with very good results.

These sprays must be applied at least once a month and after every heavy rainfall (the rain washes the stinky solution away). The deer-repellents I use are all natural and smell heavily of garlic and onions and something reminiscent of low tide -- a fish emulsion, perhaps?

My husband hates it when I spray the plants around our yard because it does stink for a good 5-6 hours afterwards, but after that the smell subsides to tolerable levels and I am able to have a garden that would not normally be possible in deer country.