tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post4873737949345155752..comments2011-06-19T23:32:36.355-05:00Comments on Suburban Sanctum: Meet My Arch EnemyDonna at Suburban Sanctumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-20371525009007509622009-03-04T13:36:00.000-06:002009-03-04T13:36:00.000-06:00Hi, Kylee--Cats and acorns: two things I wish we h...Hi, Kylee--Cats and acorns: two things I wish we had here. But my husband's allergic to the cats, and since the coyotes came around, none of my neighbors let their cats outside any more. The nearest oak trees are in the forest preserves about half a mile from here. The trees in our neighborhood are 30-year-old "suburb specials"--not an oak among them. Oh, well...I'm glad they are both working well for you! Won't be long till your kitties can be out scampering around.Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-89540947200467612742009-03-03T22:47:00.000-06:002009-03-03T22:47:00.000-06:00Donna, I would be SO TICKED! Lilies! I'm not sure...Donna, I would be SO TICKED! Lilies! I'm not sure if its our cats that keep the squirrels mostly behaved, or whether the fact that we put ears of corn out for them (far away from the gardens) in addition to having so many oak trees that produce lots of acorns, but they aren't a problem for us. The worst thing we have to deal with is the rabbits chomping the branches off things over the winter. Once nice weather hits, the cats keep those away, too.Kylee Baumlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04288354709094515651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-84698470587437686762009-03-03T15:03:00.000-06:002009-03-03T15:03:00.000-06:00Hi, Bren--Glad you introduced yourself! Always nic...Hi, Bren--Glad you introduced yourself! Always nice to meet another Midwest gardener. It's nice that you have the cats to run "squirrel interference" for you. The squirrels just laugh at my non-tree-climbing dog. Happy Bloom Tuesday to you too!Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-12601182970983652162009-03-03T11:39:00.000-06:002009-03-03T11:39:00.000-06:00Happy to have found your blog. I am a Midwest Gar...Happy to have found your blog. I am a Midwest Garden Gal too! I am in Ohio... and I can't wait to get out in the dirt. <BR/><BR/>We don't get many squirls in my gardens because I have farm cats who like to 'play' with them. <BR/><BR/>Happy Bloom Tuesday!Bren Haashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17373890474848211301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-24657898872617623762009-03-01T13:25:00.000-06:002009-03-01T13:25:00.000-06:00Hi, Gail--Thanks for the encouraging words about S...Hi, Gail--Thanks for the encouraging words about Spring Fling. It's sounding better and better all the time. Maybe I'll see you there...Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-4075799058207887382009-03-01T13:19:00.000-06:002009-03-01T13:19:00.000-06:00Chiot's Run--199 crocus bulbs to the chipmunks! Th...Chiot's Run--199 crocus bulbs to the chipmunks! That's a definite GRRRR. I hope you've had better luck since then. I enjoyed a quick peek at your website--especially the quote about coniferous plants. I'm glad you decided to rethink your position on them. There are so many truly interesting varieties these days--much more exciting than what they usually plunk onto new home sites and gas station parkways. Enjoy the hunt for the right ones for you!Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-12117366073250053452009-02-28T19:54:00.000-06:002009-02-28T19:54:00.000-06:00Hi Donna, The squirrels are getting bolder down h...Hi Donna, The squirrels are getting bolder down here in Nashville...I caught one hanging upside down from the suet feeder! About Spring Fling...if I may add to the discussion~Last year after blogging just a few short weeks I went to SP and it was a blast...I met and made very good friends...I hope you give yourself permission to jump right in. gailGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16194325535496408116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-41950733802300682212009-02-28T11:09:00.000-06:002009-02-28T11:09:00.000-06:00I also hate squirrels. They get into our bird fee...I also hate squirrels. They get into our bird feeders and eat all the seed. My arch enemies in the garden are chipmunks. GRRRR. Several years ago I planted 200 crocus bulbs and they dug up and ate all but one of them.Chiot's Runhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086153621579437021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-44213397213919644672009-02-27T20:10:00.000-06:002009-02-27T20:10:00.000-06:00Hi, Daffodil Planter--You might be right about the...Hi, Daffodil Planter--You might be right about the mesh boxes. I buy most of my lilies at clearance prices, fortunately, but they're still expensive squirrel chow! I wish I'd seen your post on the "Dinner Date" with mule deer before I wrote this. I would have linked you! Thanks forthe ideas.Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-61717894414043005432009-02-27T19:47:00.000-06:002009-02-27T19:47:00.000-06:00Learn to love Narcissus in all its wonderful forms...Learn to love Narcissus in all its wonderful forms? <BR/><BR/>It took me a couple of years to realize why my crocuses just weren't coming up anymore.... But I think that with tulips and ($$$) lilies you might want to consider planting the bulbs inside wire mesh boxes. <BR/><BR/>Greetings to you on the lake, from the Sierra Nevada foothills!"Daffodil Planter" Charlotte Germanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04892686231029047130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-49832735656801376772009-02-27T18:53:00.000-06:002009-02-27T18:53:00.000-06:00Hi, Mr. McGregor's Daughter--"Bushy-taile...Hi, Mr. McGregor's Daughter--"Bushy-tailed rats"? "Stupid beasts"? I think I've hit a nerve! I'm glad it's not just me. Thanks for the ideas on saving my bulbs & blooms--and thanks for the welcome! I've been reading about the Fling--on your blog, as well as Mr. BrownThumb and others. I'm thinking about it. It sounds wonderful, if I can get up the nerve! As a new blogger, it's still a little bit intimidating...Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-11249147060854449732009-02-27T17:39:00.000-06:002009-02-27T17:39:00.000-06:00Oops! I totally forgot to say welcome to Chicago a...Oops! I totally forgot to say welcome to Chicago area garden blogging! I also blog from the Northwest suburbs. Were you aware that Garden Bloggers' Spring Fling is being held in Chicago this year (May 29-31)? The Spring Fling website is here: <A HREF="http://chicagogardeners.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Chicago Gardeners</A>, please check it out. I hope you can join us!Mr. McGregor's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911409327006498766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-60296921536778869102009-02-27T17:28:00.000-06:002009-02-27T17:28:00.000-06:00I also have big problems with the bushy-tailed rat...I also have big problems with the bushy-tailed rats. To stop them from clipping off flowers, I use a spray-on critter repellent, such as Liquid Fence or Deer Off. The repellent must be applied to newly grown/budded parts of the plant. I've been able to grow Tulips, Crocuses and Lilies by doing this. If I miss spraying, they clip them off. To stop them digging up things I just planted, I use chickenwire until the ground hardens up. The stupid beasts have actually dug up a sapling tree in their peanut planting ventures.Mr. McGregor's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911409327006498766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-67180390234168026652009-02-27T15:58:00.000-06:002009-02-27T15:58:00.000-06:00Hi, Gardeness--Hmmm. A squirrel-banquet distractio...Hi, Gardeness--Hmmm. A squirrel-banquet distraction. That's worth thinking about. I wonder if I can get MY neighbors to oblige! :)I'm glad the squirrels leave your gardens alone! Be thankful for small blessings! :)<BR/><BR/>You're right, Tatyana--it was very funny looking. (Wish I could have gotten a photo.) And don't tell anybody, but I think I did laugh. As long as he doesn't eat any more...<BR/><BR/>Hi, Catherine--Cayenne pepper! That's a great idea. And easy on the physical labor, too. :) I think I'll run out right now and try that. I hope your camellia buds survive this year.Donna at Suburban Sanctumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144553618750590665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-48320472462788180822009-02-27T09:19:00.000-06:002009-02-27T09:19:00.000-06:00How aggravating! They don't dig much in my yard e...How aggravating! They don't dig much in my yard except to look for their buried peanuts. Last year one kept eating the buds off one of my camellias. I would be very annoyed if he was taking lily bulbs out. The only thing I can think of is the chicken wire that you mentioned. I also know they won't eat anything with cayenne pepper. I wonder if there is something you can do with that to save your bulbs?<BR/>Good luck.Catherine@AGardenerinProgresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001060769253273283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-84957680107729373822009-02-27T07:52:00.000-06:002009-02-27T07:52:00.000-06:00I would pay money to see a picture of that weightl...I would pay money to see a picture of that weightlifter in action! It should look funny..... if it's not YOUR tulip!Tatyana@MySecretGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230255354868127650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692758250883414355.post-21127865162711964862009-02-26T22:44:00.000-06:002009-02-26T22:44:00.000-06:00Evil squirrels! Big impact for such little things....Evil squirrels! Big impact for such little things. Knock on wood I haven't noticed that they bother my plants that much here. However, next door neighbor has tons of feeds they feast at so maybe that's the solution. Give them even easier to get at sources of food! Hope you find a fix ... soon.Gardenesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11447339122924259391noreply@blogger.com