It was 86 degrees yesterday and I spent the whole day in the garden. Unbelievable weather – hope it is not a predictor of a summer in the triple digits. Not going to worry about that now – it was a great day and I got lots done. Our Japanese Maples are leafing out – see how pretty!
Speaking of Japanese Maples, I have declared War On Squirrels. The little “tree rats” have decided to eat one of our Japanese Maples. And this is no ordinary maple – it is now 10 feet tall and has been lovingly nurtured by me since my DH and I spotted it growing in our front yard 12 years ago. We have 18 maples growing on our property – all grown from seedlings from a large Maple in the front. It takes 6 – 7 years of loving care to get these seedlings ready to transplant in the garden – they are like my children.
Initially I thought the squirrels were just climbing on the small branches and breaking them off. Then I thought they were just eating the fresh young leaves. No! They are gnawing on the limbs until they break off. And they don’t eat the young tender leaves – they just run off after they have done their damage! I just chased two away now. Of course Darwin, our airedale terrier, is sleeping in with DH. He is not a morning dog! I am thinking about a gun. Or we could cut down the adjacent magnolia tree so aerial climbing wouldn’t be so easy. You can see I am obsessed but I have a feeling that the squirrels will win. Hopefully this maple will survive eventhough it will be misshapen.
Two more gardening pictures. The first is one of my three peony plants. They literally seemed to grow in front of my eyes yesterday – at least six inches by the end of the day. The second is a snapshot of the loquat fruit on our loquat tree – going to have a bumper crop this year – maybe the squirrels will eat them rather than our maple.
And speaking of dogs here are two pictures of handsome Darwin after his grooming.
A cold front is coming in today – crazy Texas weather. Will be down to freezing Sunday evening. More daffodil pics!
Lottie Minick said,
February 27, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
Barb, did you read Marianne Green’s column about the squirrel nesting in the house she bought for hawks? The maple you gave me is still in the pot I planted it in last spring. It’s back inside and not going out until the last freeze. This year I think I’ll feel good about planting it in the yard, in a heap of compost. If I see one nasty squirrel checking it out, I’m going to weld a special cage for the maple. Maybe electrify the cage – oh, wait, I’d be the first one electrocuted.
PainterWoman said,
February 28, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Thanks for the warnings. Our maple must be too close to the front door… or something. Too bad poison oak is so invasive… otherwise perhaps you could plant some for your rodent invaders.