Yes, Ma'am! Gardening is a full contact sport. It's also a test of our patience and generosity - a.k.a. willingness to forgive the four-legged foragers who surely believe we're doing it all for them. May you find joy in the process, as you do with your other art media and may your defense strategies enable you to enjoy the masterpiece you create.
SO many hugs go out in your direction Sarah. You battle skunks, I’ve got squirrels.
Stupid squirrels at that! They dig up my newly planted pots to bury EMPTY peanut shells. Empty ones! So goofy.
Over the winter I saved my tulip bulbs from the diggers fate by wrapping pots with plastic (with holes on top) and blue painters tape. It worked pretty well. Until the tulips poked thru the plastic in March, and I removed it, whence the squirrels had a field day!!
Now, I’m trying a new thing… it’s a stinky yucky rotten smelling spray that just keeps them away. The smell only last a couple hours for humans, but weeks for squirrels and others.
So far it’s working!! It’s called “repels all” found it on Amazon. Nontoxic, just stinks.
Haha--that "Repels All" stuff is in my shopping cart as we speak. Glad to know it works!
On the east coast I had squirrels--and I was convinced they'd pick my most beloved, most expensive garden pot and launch themselves off of it to have it crash into the ground in pieces. But of course they had squirrel-y agendas that had nothing to do with me. I think my skunks are starting to give up--although now that I say that out loud, I don't want to jinx myself... <3
On the other aspect of this week’s post, I’m excited about getting together tomorrow night for the Creative Change Makers party. You are so right that doing things with others is so much easier than doing them alone! And in particular I look forward to the conversation about how we will share our tiny protest messages. Doing that takes more courage than you’d think!
I hope your garden thrives! Your perspective on the give and take of what's in your yard and the land really resonated with me.
I used to have a garden and now stick to plants just because of how tall the trees around us have become.
Recently, I added bird feeders wanting to welcome the fliers in my neighborhood. I keep a blue spruce in my front garden, because I know robins like building their nest there.
In a world where it feels like there's so much that needs to be cared for, I like to think I'm caring for the critters in my backyard. Of course, they aren't eating my carefully planted seeds!
Unfortunately, I can't make Changemakers but I look forward to seeing what you all create and put out into the world!
Yes--I'm all about the bird feeding too! I've been trying to woo Spotted Towhees to the yard and now they're poking around, and this time of year we get the Western Tanangers which are just stunners. When I lived in a city, I had a small walkway and courtyard and I filled it to the brim with plants--so in that concrete jungle, I had all kinds of critters drawn to that space. The raccoons were fierce though, and when I came home late and had to walk in the dark up that path, I'd announce myself loudly--here I come raccoons! Here I come! So no one would be surprised.
And totally understand about Changemakers--maybe zine making in June will work out! <3
So I'm in Denver on the 8th floor with 2 balconies. No skunks up here, but I won't be surprised to see grasshoppers, as they are pretty mobile. I've seen squirrels on the wall outside my window, so they might show up on my balconies, too. Bought annuals for flower pots last week, but hadn't planted them yet. Heavy winds blew all 5 little pots of ajuga off the balcony, never to be seen again.
OH, tragic about the wind. Spring is wind in the west--we've had some doozy days this May--Sunday was nuts here with the wind. Will you try again with the pots and the annuals?
Yep, replaced the ajugas and planted everything in their pots, so all is well for now. I just have to remember to bring my cushions inside, so they don't get blown away.
Oh my Gaia, the grasshopper pressure is upsetting. Last year it was crazy and this year it looks like it's going to be just as hard. I got an organic pesticide from Earth Good that I'm actually a little afraid to use--but the millions of tiny grasshopper babies are already eating big holds in my echinacea and hyssop plants. So I'm also investigating making what's called Oriental Herbal Nutrient--a big part of Korean Natural Farming. The OHN is about making the plants robust and strong to withstand assault...Here's a link: https://soil-society.com/blog/ohn-oriental-herbal-nutrient/
I always say gardening in New Mexico is an extreme sport! Good job working with and around your animal neighbors! I have been turning my beds over with added compost and my dog loved to lie in the dirt- I have to get him out before the plants start coming up! I do from seed outside planting this weekend.
Yes, it IS an extreme sport here! Hardest place I've ever gardened. I've been spreading wildflower seed in empty areas of my beds--hoping they come up even as all the snuffling and digging has perhaps impacted certain spots, but I am hopeful! Are you starting veggie seeds in your veggie garden or seeding somewhere else? Flowers?
O dang skunks and grasshopper. How frustrating. I built fencing to keep deer from eating stuff. Blackberries and Oak trees would take over too. Nature just keeps going. How to work in harmony. Gardening and life are so integral to me. Kayos gardening is now a thing I read. I am all for permaculture but not messy. Maybe.
Haha--yes, nature just keeps going! I've got a fence, but they are undeterred. :) How to work in harmony is the question for sure. I am interested in permaculture also, even as I create my traditional veggie beds...gardening is so expansive and endless, it could easily fill every minute of the day--even in the off seasons! I'm going to look up Kayos gardening now--TY!
Yes, Ma'am! Gardening is a full contact sport. It's also a test of our patience and generosity - a.k.a. willingness to forgive the four-legged foragers who surely believe we're doing it all for them. May you find joy in the process, as you do with your other art media and may your defense strategies enable you to enjoy the masterpiece you create.
Thank you Paula! ❤️
SO many hugs go out in your direction Sarah. You battle skunks, I’ve got squirrels.
Stupid squirrels at that! They dig up my newly planted pots to bury EMPTY peanut shells. Empty ones! So goofy.
Over the winter I saved my tulip bulbs from the diggers fate by wrapping pots with plastic (with holes on top) and blue painters tape. It worked pretty well. Until the tulips poked thru the plastic in March, and I removed it, whence the squirrels had a field day!!
Now, I’m trying a new thing… it’s a stinky yucky rotten smelling spray that just keeps them away. The smell only last a couple hours for humans, but weeks for squirrels and others.
So far it’s working!! It’s called “repels all” found it on Amazon. Nontoxic, just stinks.
Haha--that "Repels All" stuff is in my shopping cart as we speak. Glad to know it works!
On the east coast I had squirrels--and I was convinced they'd pick my most beloved, most expensive garden pot and launch themselves off of it to have it crash into the ground in pieces. But of course they had squirrel-y agendas that had nothing to do with me. I think my skunks are starting to give up--although now that I say that out loud, I don't want to jinx myself... <3
On the other aspect of this week’s post, I’m excited about getting together tomorrow night for the Creative Change Makers party. You are so right that doing things with others is so much easier than doing them alone! And in particular I look forward to the conversation about how we will share our tiny protest messages. Doing that takes more courage than you’d think!
Yay! Thank you Laura. And you're right, it's harder than it seems--I hope our convo about it helps people overcome that hurdle!
I hope your garden thrives! Your perspective on the give and take of what's in your yard and the land really resonated with me.
I used to have a garden and now stick to plants just because of how tall the trees around us have become.
Recently, I added bird feeders wanting to welcome the fliers in my neighborhood. I keep a blue spruce in my front garden, because I know robins like building their nest there.
In a world where it feels like there's so much that needs to be cared for, I like to think I'm caring for the critters in my backyard. Of course, they aren't eating my carefully planted seeds!
Unfortunately, I can't make Changemakers but I look forward to seeing what you all create and put out into the world!
Yes--I'm all about the bird feeding too! I've been trying to woo Spotted Towhees to the yard and now they're poking around, and this time of year we get the Western Tanangers which are just stunners. When I lived in a city, I had a small walkway and courtyard and I filled it to the brim with plants--so in that concrete jungle, I had all kinds of critters drawn to that space. The raccoons were fierce though, and when I came home late and had to walk in the dark up that path, I'd announce myself loudly--here I come raccoons! Here I come! So no one would be surprised.
And totally understand about Changemakers--maybe zine making in June will work out! <3
Love it! Co-existing and being welcome on all levels!
Sounds good!
So I'm in Denver on the 8th floor with 2 balconies. No skunks up here, but I won't be surprised to see grasshoppers, as they are pretty mobile. I've seen squirrels on the wall outside my window, so they might show up on my balconies, too. Bought annuals for flower pots last week, but hadn't planted them yet. Heavy winds blew all 5 little pots of ajuga off the balcony, never to be seen again.
OH, tragic about the wind. Spring is wind in the west--we've had some doozy days this May--Sunday was nuts here with the wind. Will you try again with the pots and the annuals?
Yep, replaced the ajugas and planted everything in their pots, so all is well for now. I just have to remember to bring my cushions inside, so they don't get blown away.
Oh good. And yes, hang on to those cushions! :D
What are you doing to mitigate the grasshopper invasion??!! I am at my wits' end....
Oh my Gaia, the grasshopper pressure is upsetting. Last year it was crazy and this year it looks like it's going to be just as hard. I got an organic pesticide from Earth Good that I'm actually a little afraid to use--but the millions of tiny grasshopper babies are already eating big holds in my echinacea and hyssop plants. So I'm also investigating making what's called Oriental Herbal Nutrient--a big part of Korean Natural Farming. The OHN is about making the plants robust and strong to withstand assault...Here's a link: https://soil-society.com/blog/ohn-oriental-herbal-nutrient/
I always say gardening in New Mexico is an extreme sport! Good job working with and around your animal neighbors! I have been turning my beds over with added compost and my dog loved to lie in the dirt- I have to get him out before the plants start coming up! I do from seed outside planting this weekend.
Yes, it IS an extreme sport here! Hardest place I've ever gardened. I've been spreading wildflower seed in empty areas of my beds--hoping they come up even as all the snuffling and digging has perhaps impacted certain spots, but I am hopeful! Are you starting veggie seeds in your veggie garden or seeding somewhere else? Flowers?
I'm planting veggies and cutting flowers.
O dang skunks and grasshopper. How frustrating. I built fencing to keep deer from eating stuff. Blackberries and Oak trees would take over too. Nature just keeps going. How to work in harmony. Gardening and life are so integral to me. Kayos gardening is now a thing I read. I am all for permaculture but not messy. Maybe.
Haha--yes, nature just keeps going! I've got a fence, but they are undeterred. :) How to work in harmony is the question for sure. I am interested in permaculture also, even as I create my traditional veggie beds...gardening is so expansive and endless, it could easily fill every minute of the day--even in the off seasons! I'm going to look up Kayos gardening now--TY!
Kayos garden got Gold at Chelsea garden show. Interesting.
Wow!