Miniature Gardening at the Washington Old Soldier’s Home
Hey! It’s working! The response we’re getting from our miniature garden that we built on behalf of The Miniature Garden Society at the Old Soldier’s Home in Orting, Wa., is collecting some terrific feedback! As we mentioned in the first blog, and as I was reminded of when I was speaking with one of the staff members, the staff is enjoying it just as much as the residents are. Lol!
But, I didn’t prepare for the one “being” that loves it too: SQUIRREL! I knew they were a bit of a pest from the feedback from the other gardeners, but I didn’t expect to lose entire plants to them. Our go-to method to deter these critters is cayenne pepper, (see our squirrel-blog here,) but it’s a public garden and I will never be sure who’s going to play in it. I am going to try planting larger plants instead, with deeper roots.
Anyway, here are the updated photos, click to enlarge (but I’m not sure this works on all platforms.) If you want to compare them to the initial planting, it’s here. You can see a lot of the more-fragile plants didn’t make it – and they were mostly Sedums that didn’t have a lot of roots at the time. An interesting lesson.
If the squirrels are going after the sedums, could they be thirsty? Aaaand, if they’re thirsty, possibly putting an alternative water source close by would help them leave the garden bits alone? That sometimes works in veggie gardens.
Squirrels and chipmunks, the bane of this miniature gardener’s existence! Cayenne works somewhat, but don’t forget to reapply after rain. Also, here in GA, this seems to be worse seasonally, with spring and fall ramping up activity. My theory is they are burying or digging up their cache of food! Also try bird netting, securely anchored with wooden skewers. Unsightly but less heartbreak. You can also confuse them for a bit by moving the garden to a different spot, closer to a well used door is good. These are smart, adaptive critters, they will keep you on your toes!
Awesome insight, Suzanne! Thank you! – J.
I tried hot pepper spray but I must have squirrels that like it spicy.
Hi Suzanne! It might be the spray-form that isn’t very effective in the garden for whatever reason. Here’s more insight: https://minigardenguru.com/2015/09/10/godzilla-and-the-miniature-garden/
At the time you installed this was probably nesting season for all types of animals. The tiny gravel the girds use year-round to help with swallowing also called gizzard stones. We lose all kinds of things in our spring mini-gardens. Even things that are glued in! Refurbish and hope for the best!
Thanks, Barbara. One of the fellas was tending to the garden and mixed the gravel into the soil.