Gardening: Planting Easter Eggs for Squirrels

Ahh, nuts!

I am not a gardener. I think I could have been but the garden has become my husband’s domain and I have backed away. It was never a primary source of satisfaction to me; I much prefer the kitchen or the pickleball court but he really enjoys it making our landscape lovely each season. 

But my point is that occasionally I would like to plant ( or have him plant ) something like some daffodil bulbs or basil or tomato plants which are not necessarily part of his  vision. “Tomato plants are so ugly” he complains despite how wonderful my description of the taste of fresh-from- the - vine juicy tomatoes can be. No such luck.

Earlier in our marriage, I convinced him that I would plant tomato plants along the side of the house and would tend them myself. That went well until I had to have hip surgery which prevented me from being able to get out into the area where they were. He offered to tend and water them for me until I was mobile again which I greatly appreciated. “Don’t forget to remove the suckers growing between the leaves. They will weaken the plants” I said as he left to water the crops. About a half hour later he returned , pleased with how well it went. “Not only did I remove the suckers, I also cut off all those little yellow flowers”. So much for my crop of juicy red tomatoes…

Basil was also something simple that I wanted for the kitchen. Every time I planted it in the flower bed on our deck, it was mysteriously ‘overgrown’ by some other plant that appeared next to or on top of it. Coincidence ?  I think not. 

Today I decided to plant all the bulbs from paper-whites and daffodils that were waiting in the garage to be planted for the spring. Of course, it was hard to find space other than corners and small patches that I had been allocated. As I walked around planting my bulbs, I had the distinct feeling that I was doing the equivalent of hiding Easter eggs for the multitude of squirrels who live around our home. Over the years, they have nibbled on and dug up many of their favorite plants in the garden, and I suspect that I just replenished their supply. Oh well. 

I think I’ll head back to the kitchen and bake something. And instead of  the garden shop, I will head over to the farmers market for some fresh tomatoes and basil.