As described in this blog earlier, a major challenge to success in the Florida Garden has been the wild animals ( deer, rabbits, armadillos, raccoons) who eat, rub, or dig our plants, bushes, and trees. This blog will focus on likely the most difficult critter, SQUIRRELS. It seems obvious that the population of squirrels has exploded in our Richmond neighborhood, with every yard having its own family of two or more! It would appear they have no enemies here, save for an occasional red-shouldered hawk flying off with one, and those jumping out in front of cars. In the Florida Garden, they spend the winter trying to get into our attic and often climb on our roof and lanai screens. In the early spring, they swarm over our loquat tree, devouring the small yellow fruit that come out in March. In April, they commandeer the guava hedge along the north side of the house, and eat the small red and white guava flowers right outside my office window. In May, there will be a succession of battles to keep them off my peach and later plum trees. In the fall, they will help themselves to my persimmon fruit. Their only good habit is to leave my citrus fruit alone. We are obviously not winning this war with the squirrels. The photos will feature some of the flowers in the garden this week.
TAProots
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