The Garden Vanishes!: Re: Wildlife Refuge

» MaggieM - Re: Wildlife Refuge

Carol, I don't have to deal with the destruction from many critters because my garedens are usually in pots (squirrel damage only) and I have no big yard (like my neighbours - what I do have is paved with stones). But the fish thing is a wonder. I put screening pieces over the pond to prevent the fish from commiting suicide (jumping out) and they were off in the morning - I have bricks and plants in there, so maybe its just hiding. I don't know. Feeding some food did not make it come out. And I got a white one with a gold dot on its "neck" so I could see it. I also got one of those algae eaters - plectocarpus ( I can never remember the name)? I can't see it because its black like the pond liner.....so I assume its there. I will do a touchy-feeley search this weekend.
I heartily approve of things like your liquid fence (even round up - bindweed is my bane
and that bad carpathian bluebell, GRRRR). Its only poision that gets me going. And guns. But I don't live in the country. I had never seen a squirrel eat a bird's egg either, so I was fascinated. And we have not seen the 'coons this year, yet? I'd be devestated if critters truly wiped out a garden. Slugs (I've got mostly snails here) get picked and squashed , so do the lily bettles - the red ones for which, I learned there is no good remedy except squash or drown. It teaches us to be vigilent about our precious, life-affirming, plants and gardens. I actually like to watch insects, have been this way since a child, maybe because my folks encouraged me in my "nature experiments". I once had a whole bunch of boxes of fungi collected at our cottage, and was finally convinced that the smelly, bug ridden mushrooms should be thrown away (my dad said - from the garage into the compost heap they go, please -) I think that's when I first learned that rot is good. I will be dealing with my "citified" composter this weekend, as soon as I get the pot soil I made for my pots out of the wheelbarrow. I still have lots of pots to fill. And some mail order plants to put in them. I never seem to have a plan come planting time, just a lot of plants I have not found the places for come the end of June. I must try to curb my February desire to have everything. I've got lily bulbs in my fridge crisper. Must deal with them. Most (but not all) are good for pots....
So this weekend - Search for fish. Plant the left-overs. Do the composter. Re-arrange the deck pots. Weed, weed, weed the front and back gardens (never plant lemon balm unless it is potted, seedy plant, in more ways than one, or that perennial cornflower!) Revel in being able to be OUTSIDE! Mulch every bare space! Get dirty!
I do love gardening. 'Nough said.

-- posted by MaggieM