Don't mess with Grandma

    As apparent from previous posts, Paula is an avid gardener, which pursuit borders very close to mania.  This became apparent right from the get-go.  Our first apartment soon had a bunch of plants in windows

and daffodils planted down by the front steps

and when we were lucky enough to move to a little house, one of the first considerations was about the location of the garden.

     This love of gardening has not abated, rather it has intensified through the years.  I made a count last year of how many different kinds of plants there are in our yard, and it came to one hundred twelve.

There are sixty-some tall pines on the property, and only one area by the street that gets much sun.  Because of its public location, Paula's rule is that if something starts looking crummy, it's gone, stuffed in the week's yard waste.  

     And that is why I shave and keep my hair combed (most days). 

     Many years ago, we learned that our yard could be declared an official wildlife habitat!  All we had to do was certify that we provided water, food and protected areas and didn't use pesticides!  Oh, and sent twenty-five bucks to the National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org).  For being good people (and the $25) we got a nifty sign that makes people think we're cool.

     However, certain creatures have taken advantage of our kindness.  For instance, our part of town is becoming overrun with Rats With Long Legs, aka white-tailed deer.

     We've been gradually blocking points of egress with wires and gates,

and a motion-activated sprinkler seems to be keeping them out of the backyard.  The video in this link from someone else's property just makes Paula giggle.  On the other hand, it just makes me giggle when Paula forgets about the thing and gets sprayed herself.  Tee hee.

     Paula and the chipmunks have come to an uneasy detente, wherein they don't bother her plants (too much) and she doesn't try to kill them (mostly).

     She welcomes most snakes, as they help keep a check on various varmints (see "chipmunks").  We have a 2 1/2 - foot garter snake that has made his home among the rocks by the backyard pond.  No name yet.

     Unfortunately, this Eden-like Certified Wildlife Sanctuary (for only $25!) has become a nursery for rabbits, specifically Sylvilagus floridanus.  One of their hiding places is just across the driveway from, you guessed it, Paula's street-side garden.  They have been wreaking various degrees of havoc on her flowers and beans.  Sterner measures were needed.

     It turns out that apples didn't only work in the other Garden of Eden.  Small rabbits will voluntarily give up their freedom for slices of Honey Crisp and MacIntosh.

     Coming back from a bike ride the other day, Paula went to water something in the garden, and to her surprise there was the second adolescent bunny of the month in her Have-a-Heart trap, not looking very happy.

     We took him far enough away that, unless he gets Google Maps on his Rabbit iPhone, he's not going to bother Paula's garden again.  Now if we could only convince his probably-thousands of relatives that it's not a good idea....

     Anyway, we hope that you and your varmints/vermin can work it out also.

Dave & Paula