SPRING HAS SPRUNG! What's blooming in your yard (or garden)?

[RosemaryH]

...that would be HOSTAS. I have at least 100 of them, someone gave me 35 as a wedding  present and I already had quite a few. From May through June I'll be out there spraying them with Bobbex or DeerOff to keep the deer and slugs away. By July I'm not so diligent.

[becke_davis]

I do have some perennials in containers, but those that survive the winter are always a little worse for wear.  It's not so much from winter's heaving and thawing, it's more the raccoons that dig for grubs among the roots!

[KathyS]

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becke_davis wrote:
I do have some perennials in containers, but those that survive the winter are always a little worse for wear.  It's not so much from winter's heaving and thawing, it's more the raccoons that dig for grubs among the roots!

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I'm starting to feel lucky...not having to deal with 'animals' in my garden!  I think rabbits and squirrels are it...but I haven't even seen any of those this year!  A friend of mine, who lives about 20 miles away, her property backs up into a protected wilderness area.  She has everything under the sun, from bobcats to rattle snakes, come into her yard...no deer.

[becke_davis]

I get a lot of deer, and I've seen a few coyotes in the field behind my house.  Bobcats would be scary, but cool.  I get a lot of snakes, mainly racers and black rat snakes.  Once a hog-nosed snake scared a guy working in the yard -- those snakes are harmless, but rear up like cobras when they feel threatened.

A friend of mine in Chicago thinks the chipmunks are out to get her.  Everytime she plants a container, they destroy it.  I've never had a problem with them, but I've always had cats (and, until recently, a dog).

My pet peeve?  Moles. 

Rattlesnakes are rare in this area, but not unheard-of.  You can keep them, Kathy!

Message Edited by becke_davis on 04-13-2009 02:57 PM

[KathyS]

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becke_davis wrote:

I get a lot of deer, and I've seen a few coyotes in the field behind my house.  Bobcats would be scary, but cool.  I get a lot of snakes, mainly racers and black rat snakes.  Once a hog-nosed snake scared a guy working in the yard -- those snakes are harmless, but rear up like cobras when they feel threatened.

A friend of mine in Chicago thinks the chipmunks are out to get her.  Everytime she plants a container, they destroy it.  I've never had a problem with them, but I've always had cats (and, until recently, a dog).

My pet peeve?  Moles. 

Rattlesnakes are rare in this area, but not unheard-of.  You can keep them, Kathy!

Message Edited by becke_davis on 04-13-2009 02:57 PM

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I wouldn't know one snake from another.  I don't think we have the 'variety' that you have....If we see a snake, and it doesn't rattle at you, it's a "garden snake" LOL  But you leave it alone, or transport it away from a "dog's jaw".

Moles, huh?  Wouldn't know what one of those looks like, either.. Other than googling Moles, Groundhogs, and Gofers..., which I haven't done....Do they all look like big rats with buck teeth!    I'm kidding.  But I do feel like I've lead a sheltered life!  No "pet" peeves at the moment.

I had to laugh.  Your friend thinks chipmunks are out to get her! LOL  Has she been to Vegas recently!

[becke_davis]

I get possums and raccoon visitors every night.  The moles are there, but in underground tunnels.  I only know where they are because I'll see the evidence above ground:  pushed up mounds of dirt, in flower beds and across the lawn -- grrrr!  Possums are so ugly, they're kind of cute -- like big rats with long, skinny tails.  Ground hogs are cute, chubby little guys, but they do like to eat hostas.

[RosemaryH]

I have lots of critters..starting with the deer who laugh at my efforts to keep them away. Sometimes they just stare at me as if to say "you mean you want me to move?" Also have raccoons every night..they're messy little buggers, foxes, wild turkeys, moles, rabbits and I am convinced I saw a coyote once..but only once. Not to complain too much though, I also have owls and pileated woodpeckers and some other nice birds so I figure it's a package deal - if you want one you have to live with the other!

My groundcovers are coming back to life..just noticed this morning.

[KathyS]

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RosemaryH wrote:

I have lots of critters..starting with the deer who laugh at my efforts to keep them away. Sometimes they just stare at me as if to say "you mean you want me to move?" Also have raccoons every night..they're messy little buggers, foxes, wild turkeys, moles, rabbits and I am convinced I saw a coyote once..but only once. Not to complain too much though, I also have owls and pileated woodpeckers and some other nice birds so I figure it's a package deal - if you want one you have to live with the other!

My groundcovers are coming back to life..just noticed this morning.

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Hi, Rosemary!  You made me laugh!

I live in So. Calif., and I feel deprived!  (not really, I just wanted to make you feel better!   You sound like you live in the San Diego Wild Animal Park!  Which, if I so desired, could visit within an hour's drive! LOL

I lived in Utah for a few years, and loved to see the deer.  They are so beautiful and serene.  Although, it wasn't a good thing to see them, because it meant they could be hit on the highways.  I saw that, too.  They'd come down from the Wasatch mountain range in the winter, looking for food. 

I love the visual seasons. So. Ca. is so subtle, except for our mountains, which are covered in snow [on a good winter], and a few trees that turn brown and loose their leaves!  You mostly have to look at a calendar to figure out when it's winter! 

The one thing about definite seasons, you knew exactly when to plant, and when to trim.  Now,  back in So.Ca., it's a toss up as to when a frost will hit.  My climate can be 90 in the day, and down to 30 something at night, in-between the winter and summer seasons.  But we have many different flowers blooming all year long!  The citrus trees are all in bloom right now, and it smells heavenly!  Feed the animals for me!

Thanks for coming by!

Kathy S.

[Hank_Phillippi…]

The hyacinths are here! I'm so thrilled..pale purple and white, and a few brave daffodils.  The roses are greening up, and our ground cover is coming to life. I want to plant rosemary and basil, but everyone says--oh, no, it's too early! ANd I suppose they're right.

We heard a weird sound on the patio the other night--so I turned on the light, and peered throguh te glass door--and there, on the other side, was a raccoon! A HUGE, furry, pudgy raccoon.  Looking at me with the same expression a pet has when they want to come in. Just--standing there, inquiring.

Get the camera get the camera! I called to my husband.

He says: You can't take a picture through the glass door!

I suppose not.

And then yesterday, there was a possum in our driveway.  Got to love spring.

Next, the tulips. And then--the marauding bud-eating squirrels.

xox to all

Hank

Hank Phillippi Ryan

http://www.hankphillippiryan.com

[KathyS]

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Hank_Phillippi_Ryan wrote:

The hyacinths are here! I'm so thrilled..pale purple and white, and a few brave daffodils.  The roses are greening up, and our ground cover is coming to life. I want to plant rosemary and basil, but everyone says--oh, no, it's too early! ANd I suppose they're right.

We heard a weird sound on the patio the other night--so I turned on the light, and peered throguh te glass door--and there, on the other side, was a raccoon! A HUGE, furry, pudgy raccoon.  Looking at me with the same expression a pet has when they want to come in. Just--standing there, inquiring.

Get the camera get the camera! I called to my husband.

He says: You can't take a picture through the glass door!

I suppose not.

And then yesterday, there was a possum in our driveway.  Got to love spring.

Next, the tulips. And then--the marauding bud-eating squirrels.

xox to all

Hank

Hank Phillippi Ryan

http://www.hankphillippiryan.com

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Does everyone on this board, except me, live in the frozen tundra...and have wild animals knocking at their back door?  Hank, you could have just opened the glass door, and offered him cheese!  Of course, he'd have to say it first!

I'm afraid my hyacinths and daffys have all gone bye-bye...now on to bigger and better things, like tomatoes!  I finally planted them [this year] in a spot where the afternoon's blistering sun won't fry them, before I do!

Now, I need to go pull a few bazillion poppies that won't leave my rock front yard alone.

Happy gardening! 

Kathy

[Choisya]

Alas! the biggest 'crittur' I have visiting my garden (apart from cats) is a very large wood pigeon!  My daughter, living over the other side of town, gets lots of squirrels and the occasional fox but wild life interest over my side is practically zilch

Someone asked me recently if the UK had black squirrels as well as grey and red ones and I learned recently that the answer is yes and that there are some not very far from where I live.  Unfortunately both grey and black squirrels are leading to the demise of our native red squirrel. 

[KathyS]

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Choisya wrote:

Alas! the biggest 'crittur' I have visiting my garden (apart from cats) is a very large wood pigeon!  My daughter, living over the other side of town, gets lots of squirrels and the occasional fox but wild life interest over my side is practically zilch

Someone asked me recently if the UK had black squirrels as well as grey and red ones and I learned recently that the answer is yes and that there are some not very far from where I live.  Unfortunately both grey and black squirrels are leading to the demise of our native red squirrel. 

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I, Choisya!  Someone from the non-tundra!  What's a wood pigeon?  Do they go...cooo..cooo...coooo, or chortle, chortle, chortle? Or do they sound like they're gargling?

As far as birds, they're always plentiful, here.  Especially the hummers, they've taken over the world!  It's interesting what leads to the demise of one segments of a species, as opposed to another.

[TiggerBear]

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Choisya wrote:

Alas! the biggest 'crittur' I have visiting my garden (apart from cats) is a very large wood pigeon!  My daughter, living over the other side of town, gets lots of squirrels and the occasional fox but wild life interest over my side is practically zilch

Someone asked me recently if the UK had black squirrels as well as grey and red ones and I learned recently that the answer is yes and that there are some not very far from where I live.  Unfortunately both grey and black squirrels are leading to the demise of our native red squirrel. 

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That would be me. Over here it's the reverse; gray squirrels pushing out the black ones. Perhaps a global squirrel exchange?

Moles, Squirrels, chipmunk, hawks, finches, doves, red birds, blue jays, rabbits, dogs, and cats all roam through my yard. Not exactly wild kingdom.

[becke_davis]

I'm in Florida right now -- we had to drive down for a funeral.  I've had trouble with computer access, which is why I haven't posted in a few days.  I was down here a few weeks ago (to visit the relative who has since died) and it was chilly, not very pretty last month.  Right now everything is blooming -- oleander and hibiscus, bougainvillea and mandevilla, all kinds of annuals.  I love the lowgrowing pinwheel type zinnias that I've seen massed as bedding plants.  Lots of geckos, and I saw an armadillo yesterday, but my son is disappointed he hasn't seen any alligators.

[becke_davis]

Kathy - wood pigeons are like doves, you usually find them in pairs.  They must be long-lived because we have a couple that have lived in our backyard since my kids were little.  Or maybe these are their descendents.  The other night, we came back from running errands and when we pulled into our driveway a deer ran past, gliding over our back fence as if it wasn't there!  So cool.  I actually miss our little raccoon friends, while we're on the road.  One of the little ones will come knock on the patio door if he wants our cat to come out and play.

[KathyS]

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becke_davis wrote:
I'm in Florida right now -- we had to drive down for a funeral.  I've had trouble with computer access, which is why I haven't posted in a few days.  I was down here a few weeks ago (to visit the relative who has since died) and it was chilly, not very pretty last month.  Right now everything is blooming -- oleander and hibiscus, bougainvillea and mandevilla, all kinds of annuals.  I love the lowgrowing pinwheel type zinnias that I've seen massed as bedding plants.  Lots of geckos, and I saw an armadillo yesterday, but my son is disappointed he hasn't seen any alligators.

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Becke,

Thinking about you this week...drive safe.

Enjoy the flowers

Tell your son I think he's nuts! (lovingly, of course!)

Kathy

[TiggerBear]

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becke_davis wrote:
Kathy - wood pigeons are like doves, you usually find them in pairs.  They must be long-lived because we have a couple that have lived in our backyard since my kids were little.  Or maybe these are their descendents.  The other night, we came back from running errands and when we pulled into our driveway a deer ran past, gliding over our back fence as if it wasn't there!  So cool.  I actually miss our little raccoon friends, while we're on the road.  One of the little ones will come knock on the patio door if he wants our cat to come out and play.

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(scrathing head) Do you really let your cat play with raccoons?

[becke_davis]

They grew up together.  Six baby raccoons were born in our backyard and they used to play with the cats.  When they grew up, they still hung out.  My one remaining cat misses our other cats (who died at ages 17 and 11 last year), and he hangs out with the raccoons.  They don't "play" as much as just sit around together on the deck.

[TiggerBear]

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becke_davis wrote:
They grew up together.  Six baby raccoons were born in our backyard and they used to play with the cats.  When they grew up, they still hung out.  My one remaining cat misses our other cats (who died at ages 17 and 11 last year), and he hangs out with the raccoons.  They don't "play" as much as just sit around together on the deck.

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Well I supose if the cat has all his shots, it's ok. You should take some pictures though. Odd but cute, I'm thinking.

[becke_davis]

Really cute!  Even my husband is falling under their spell of cuteness.  It's hard to take pictures at night because the flash reflects on the patio door, but I'll try to get some.