Ok, what gives . .

A nice big piece of driftwood! You must have access to plenty being so close to the beach. You could have Jack put multiple pieces together.

We have a huge piece of driftwood in the courtyard. The shade from the junk tree was lovely this afternoon.

Alyrics - I'm still thinking about the copper tree. A storm knocked down the 9'9" copper trellis last year - splitting it into two pieces and the location would get the same prevailing NW winds so you can see I have more thinking to do.

Are you comfortable moving the clematis??

No, Victor. I planted it when the tree was small and now it's huge. I'd probably kill both clem's by moving them now. I just need inspiration but after 11 hours of gardening today (no lunch breaks - some unions!) I think I need sleep more than inspiration.

Then you're kind of stuck with a structure of some sort. I assume there is lawn nearby so you can't let it scramble around on the ground. Anything else you might grow would take too long to get to a good height.

How long can you stand still for me?

How about a huge scarecrow??

Pirl! Great line!

Victor, have you ever seen Pirl's scarecrow?

2006

Still trying to find the worst possible combination of clothes for this year.

Re: copper tree. I have always wondered how is it that plants don't die when they grow over metal that gets really, really hot in the summer? I get burnt if I touch it - why don't the plants?

I don't know. I put wire fencing (maybe "pig wire" - I'm not sure) around the tree to hold the clematis, years ago. The plants can't read so don't know they might get burned and continue to grow happily.

The tall copper trellis posed NO problem to the clematis, whatsoever!

It's totally covered the copper in this photo. That was before the storm that halved the trellis.

Wow, that's impressive. Which Clematis is that?

Wow, I've never seen a clematis look that full and impressive by itself. That must've taken you a long time!

Jackmanii. It backs up to the compost bins so gets a constant feeding all year long. Here's a shot of the rear of it and you can see the compost bins.

I love the way the scarecrow's clothes are color-coordinated with the lilies.

do scarecrows work with squirrels?

I once saw a squirrel - scarecrow ventriloquist act; so I would have to answer "yes".

I've heard they refuse to work together.

My upcoming book - 'Ventriloquism for Dummies'.

do scarecrows scare squirrels so the squirrels do not come in the yard and dig up plants????

No, that's what guns are for.

Aren't we frustrating! No is the answer. I explain it in my prequell book: "Dummies for Ventriloquism".

Isn't that a lobby group already??

Ah, we cross-posted again.

I'm cross-dressing as well. Are you??

Yes. They consider themselves a silent majority.

Slow down! I shaved my armpits and that's as far as I'm going!

You mean the cross-dressing ventriloquists??

DEEP BREATH.

Alas - it is apparently illegal to discharge a gun in the city of springfield - even if it is for squirrels :-)

But, boy I sure would like to know a solution to the squirrels. DH traps about 2-3 each week - otherwise instead of 3 or 4 on the lawn, we would have 12 or 13 (new squirrels keep moving in, as we deport the ones we catch to a large city park some distance away).

Actually, a solution to dear neighbours who insist on feeding the @##$#@ squirrels would also be helpful (no, guns are not a solution for that either!) Honestly, could you imagine someone feeding peanuts to a dozen or more rats on the lawn? Yet, so many people insist on feeding tree rats. Is there a law against feeding wild animals.?

The ventriloquists make it look like other people are cross-dressing when they do that.

Sigh . . . can you stay focused on the squirrels for a second? You can compare wardrobes after. LOL

Michaela, I mentioned before that when I plant small plants or bulbs, I sprinkle minced garlic right on top. The squirrels do not like it. Works great for me. Except, as I noted, it attracts Italians.

Seandor, If Victor & I do our schtick outside your house, the squirrels won't be able to leave fast enough.
For me, they only bother newly planted bulbs and some baby plants. What are they driving you crazy with?

I've had a strange desire to go to Victor"s house.

This message was edited May 21, 2007 7:56 PM

That's one more reason I don't like planting puny plants. I have to use lots of garlic. Dave, do you think they would throw acorns at us??

Italians? No!

You two! LOL. The neighbours feed the squirrels - but the squirrels are already full, so they want to bury the peanuts - in the process they dig up my planters, my containers, our lawn, our gardens, etc.

Personally, I would poison them - but in a city, there is a real risk that the squirrels will take the poison someplace else where someone's pet or child might ingest the poison. So, that is not a solution.

I have spent a small fortune (well, for me) to buy fragrant plants - the idea of surrounding them with garlic seems to defeat the purpose of the gardens. I guess I was hoping a scarecrow would keep them away, but you two are welcome to come anytime and scare the squirrels for me :-)

I think the trick is to protect them during that vulnerable phase (plant bulbs in cages, put little wire coverings over little plants. OR, brown the garlic in a little olive oil, add basil....

Really in trouble now. This is the Scare Crow I want to put in the Garden. Bought it for 150.00 bucks. If you take the clothes off that would scare Victor, Dave47, and Pirl away - probably everyone including me. The squirrels would be inferitil.

Well I do that - especially for tulips, but we still have holes in the lawn, and plants destroyed in planters. I may have to brown the garile and add basil!