Squirrels and bulbs

I just rec'd this amusing email from a mail order company. Thought you might enjoy

SQUIRRELS & BULBS
Do you have a Squirrel problem?
Are these cute, furry devils eating your bulbs?
Read on for 6 great ways to deal with Squirrels
There is little doubt that autumn is a busy time for Squirrels and Gardeners.
Unfortunately, sometimes both are busy in the same garden. While squirrels are
stocking up for winter and burying nuts, they are also digging up and even eating
some of your freshly planted bulbs. Below we have outlined what we have found
to be some of the most effective solutions.


1. Plant bulbs they don't like
Crocus tomasinianus - although crocus are often considered a squirrels favourite food, there are some they tend to ingnore. We offer 2 varieties of "Tommies", BARR'S PURPLE and RUBY GIANT. These are one of the best "naturalizing" crocus; early flowering and spreading.
Eranthis (winter aconite) - a very early-flowering treasure that works well in the lawn.
Eremurus (foxtail lily) - these grow from scary, spider-like roots to
1.5m - 3m (5' - 9') giants, making them one of the most spectacular spring
flowers
Fritillaria - these are famous for their "skunky" smell. A smell
squirrels hate inspite of the beautiful flowers these bulbs produce.

Galanthis (snowdrops) - these harbingers of spring are the first bulbs
to bloom. Squirrels ignore them
Narcissus (daffodils) - a favourite of ours that bloom every spring and
will increase over time. Perfect for naturalizing in the lawn. Squirrels have been known to move them, but never eat them

Species Tulips - some of the most delightful tulips are in this group.
For some reason Squirrels leave most of these alone.


2. Plant DEEPLY
Tulips actually grow better if planted deeply. This would be 25 - 30cm (10 - 12")
deep for the regular 10 - 12cm bulbs. Fortunately squirrels are a little lazy and
won't be keen to dig this deep.

3. Bar the gates
Once your bulbs are planted, you can put wire mesh, boards, even lawn furniture
over the area to keep the squirrels out until the ground freezes.

4. Acti-sol Hen Manure
This is a natural fertilizer made from
Hen manure using a European technology to turn what was once an
environmental problem into a useful garden food with the added
benefit of REPELLING SQUIRRELS. Simply scatter Acti-sol on top
of the soil after you've planted your bulbs and again in the spring.
Its an unscented (for humans), easy to use, 4 - 4 - 2 granular
fertilizer. Acti-sol is made in Quebec and rigorously tested to
meet both the Canadian and Quebec regulations

5. Wyndvale Heights Gourmet Garlic - good for you and not good for Squirrels. They don't like the smell.
Locally grown crops become more popular every day and, given their superior taste let alone lower carbon footprint, this is long overdue. The 100 kilometre diet has become a catch phrase. Nothing tastes better than freshly picked. Nothing beats the freshness of produce from your own garden. Fresh garlic in particular.
Fall is the time to plant garlic. Each package comes complete with instructions.
Home grown garlic is great but better still when you have a superb variety like Wyndvale Heights Gourmet Garlic. It has becomes the favourite of everyone who tries it. Grown by my friends Stu and Noni Sigesmund, Wyndvale Heights Gourmet Garlic is a hardy, hard neck Garlic grown here in Ontario.

6. A Jack Russell Terrier

Provided you don't mind a little wear and tear in your garden, a Jack Russell is one of the best solutions around. These dogs absolutely LOVE to chase squirrels and are more than a match for these furry devils. While Jack Russell ownership is only for energetic folk, you may be able to borrow a neighbours.

I like #6. Here, we use rat terriers to chase the "tree rats." It's great fun!

Seems to work in my yard with Shelties!
And probably the type of bulbs I plant since the front yard, dogs not allowed out there, also seems to be immune!