The problem here with getting anything planted deeper - is the soil Solid clay. Even in raised beds, it can be tricky. Most tulips don't return much here [ too wet] apart from the species ones of course, but many of those are small. I have all the species ones in raised beds in the sunniest part of the garden, in really well drained soil, but I still lose some now and again.
The plentiful opportunities round here for 'squirrel food' means it isn't as bad for me as in many other areas. Loads of pine trees- a big favourite for them.
The problem is the rapid takeover of the flying rats themselves, and the effect on the native reds. It's becoming an impossible task to keep them at bay.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The problem here with getting anything planted deeper - is the soil Solid clay. Even in raised beds, it can be tricky. Most tulips don't return much here [ too wet] apart from the species ones of course, but many of those are small. I have all the species ones in raised beds in the sunniest part of the garden, in really well drained soil, but I still lose some now and again.
The plentiful opportunities round here for 'squirrel food' means it isn't as bad for me as in many other areas. Loads of pine trees- a big favourite for them.
The problem is the rapid takeover of the flying rats themselves, and the effect on the native reds. It's becoming an impossible task to keep them at bay.
Is there a local Red Squirrel group near you @Fairygirl? One such group near me used to supply traps to locals and I believe would collect and humanely despatch them if necessary. It could help if there were initiatives to act as buffer zones around the areas where reds still exist, as happens here. It may delay things until a better solution is found, hopefully before the native red squirrel becomes extinct. If only action had been taken sooner, but hindsight is a cruel thing.
No - there aren't any red squirrels in this area - all farther north @Woodgreen, so it wouldn't make much difference, other than to keep them in check a tiny bit. I think there might be a few little strongholds in the south. Maybe where @Bee witched is? @Hostafan1 had a map showing all the different areas of 'invasion'. I was saying recently on another thread that we have 75% of the UK's reds in Scotland, but they're now having problems with greys encroaching in areas of Perthshire - which has long been a very big stronghold. Glen Lyon, in particular, is an area where you can spot reds regularly. There's been various solutions tried, the most recent one being the encouragement of pine martens, who can compete with the greys, and also dispatch them, but the greys keep breeding and multiplying too quickly, and staying several leaps ahead - pardon the pun. I also mentioned our programme - Landward - which had an item this week about reds, so that people could have a look. It was this morning on BBC2. They're asking the public to report sightings of both, so that they can see the extent of the problem, and tackle culling them. The habitat for reds is quite specific though, so it isn't as simple as getting rid of the greys either.
Thanks @Fairygirl, I'll see if I can watch the programme on iPlayer tonight. I nearly made it up to Glen Lyon last year, but Covid intervened. I'll try again in a year or two.....
It's one of my favourites @Woodgreen. Haven't been for a little while either. I managed out to one of my favourite hills [Stuchd an Lochain] there earlier this year - once we were allowed out. It's a nice easy one because of the higher start. Weather was nice and clear too
I just looked at the map again - the Borders and north east of England have a good colony of reds. For how much longer is anyone's guess.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Squirrels, mice, roe deer, muntjac deer, bindweed, ground elder, nettles and brambles. No moles that I know, I assume shallow soil over chalk isn't for them.
@Fairygirl. I haven't been up a Munro now for quite a long time, but by a strange coincidence, the last one was Stuchd an Lochain! I just checked and that was 2004. It's always later than we think.....🙂
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Solid clay.
Even in raised beds, it can be tricky. Most tulips don't return much here [ too wet] apart from the species ones of course, but many of those are small. I have all the species ones in raised beds in the sunniest part of the garden, in really well drained soil, but I still lose some now and again.
The plentiful opportunities round here for 'squirrel food' means it isn't as bad for me as in many other areas. Loads of pine trees- a big favourite for them.
The problem is the rapid takeover of the flying rats themselves, and the effect on the native reds. It's becoming an impossible task to keep them at bay.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Mind you, I'm making that up about the clay as well remember. It doesn't exist
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If only action had been taken sooner, but hindsight is a cruel thing.
I was saying recently on another thread that we have 75% of the UK's reds in Scotland, but they're now having problems with greys encroaching in areas of Perthshire - which has long been a very big stronghold. Glen Lyon, in particular, is an area where you can spot reds regularly. There's been various solutions tried, the most recent one being the encouragement of pine martens, who can compete with the greys, and also dispatch them, but the greys keep breeding and multiplying too quickly, and staying several leaps ahead - pardon the pun. I also mentioned our programme - Landward - which had an item this week about reds, so that people could have a look. It was this morning on BBC2. They're asking the public to report sightings of both, so that they can see the extent of the problem, and tackle culling them.
The habitat for reds is quite specific though, so it isn't as simple as getting rid of the greys either.
Here's the link to the page with the map
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1059586/evening-moths#latest
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I nearly made it up to Glen Lyon last year, but Covid intervened. I'll try again in a year or two.....
I just looked at the map again - the Borders and north east of England have a good colony of reds. For how much longer is anyone's guess.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I just checked and that was 2004.
It's always later than we think.....🙂