May 14, 2019: sprouts, flowers, sprinklers, squirrels, rabbits

Well, it's been an eventful few days since we returned from Europe.
It rained a lot while we were gone, even snowed but that was good for the garden.

The fence that Tom put up probably would not keep out a rabbit determined to get in but I sure appreciated his effort.  I put in butternut squash seeds behind that stone (just did it on May 12) but the seeds did not look too good. 
So on May 12, I planted the cucumbers, summer squash and zucchini.

All the petunias that I "scalped" survived at Joan's. They did not grow much but they look healthy. 

I went a tad crazy at Walmart on May 13. Great flowers and excellent prices.  I even bought a hanging basket.  But spent about $120. 

The big discouragement was on Monday morning.  There were squirrels all over the flower garden, digging madly.  One, in particular, was in one of the barrels and digging a huge hole.  I was so upset. I could tell Tom was upset too. He had worked so hard on that sprinkler system and the squirrels destroyed it.  Then Linda told me that it is illegal to feed squirrels.  She told me maybe I should call the county. I mean, I wanted to but I did not want to hurt Paula or get her in trouble.  I prayed and clearly sensed I needed to ask Paula to not feed the squirrels. gulp.  I told Joan and Linda, kind of to be accountable. 

Paula was working in the yard and I went over. I had some chocolate from Austria for her as she watered the garden although she said it rained so much, she really did not do anything. I told her I was discouraged. She came over and saw the chewed pipes and the holes.  Then I just said it, nicely, "I know you love the wildlife but would you consider not feeding the squirrels?"  She immediately said she would stop. 

Then we got talking about mothballs and using them as a deterrent. I went to the Dollar store and got some. I put them out Monday and there were no squirrels in the garden. In fact, they seemed to be avoiding the garden AND they don't have any peanuts. 

There were holes in this garden too. I planted some impatiens. I can't plant where the porcelain lady is because of the tree roots.  I also planted a lupine.

I planted that Columbine and a fuschia, both perennials.  Note the poppy, not looking healthy but still alive.  I noticed some poppies in other yards on my walk today.

Every since Scott got that fence, I've never had good "money plants" like Paula's  but a few will blossom next week.

planted a perennial.  It is so tough to make this garden pretty.  Even the perennials die.
It's the pine tree. 

These petunias were not looking good so I planted them behind the grill. We'll see what happens.

2 peppers, 2 tomato and 3 herb