Let's Talk about Gardens

@gingerw.. I have a question for all the gardening experts... Does avocado tree attract rats? My daughter's gardener told her not to have one. My neighbor has one in her front yard in a pot and she had a dead rat in her patio. I had one in mine too not long after that. It was really gross. I came home one day and startled this gigantic crow (we have alot in my neighborhood), it was hovering over this dead rat. I'd like to think of it as a field mouse, less scary. My daughter said to call Animal Control next time, they will come and pick it up. I had double rubber gloves and got rid of it. Then I spray a whole can of lysol over the spot. Yikes yikes...

I have 2 avocado trees, never have I seen a dead rat or mouse. The wildlife, mostly squirrels eat the fruit. Same with my fig tree.

@funcountess.. Good to know. My daughter has a fig tree but the squirrels always eat them first. I read that they don't like rosemary and some people plant rosemary at the base of the fig tree, but my daughter said these squirrels just leap from other tree to the fog tree.. .

Hi,
I think your daughter is sending her squirrels to my place, never had a fig from the fig trees, nor an avocado. Yes, the squirrels get to them first.
True they jump from tree to tree. Wildlife is wildlife, not much you can do.
From time to time petunia and rose bud come for a visit. I’m trying to get them a job at the Chanel perfume factory, but I guess nobody likes the smell of skunks.
After awhile you start to name the wildlife.
Actually skunks are pretty animals.
I’m off to have a late lunch.
Funcountess

Funcountess - Best laugh of the day! Thank you!

We had our first day of summer Saturday and I was able to clean up the chives. It's hard to keep a farmer's daughter's hands off weeds.

On my parent's farm weeds grew much better than fruitful plants. Sometimes it was all Mother could do to clean directly around the plants so they wouldn't be choked off by weeds. One summer she send my older siblings out to remove the weeds between the rows of the plants. When they came back into the house in 1/2 hour and said they were done, she had to go check. They had pulled every plant from its clearing and the weeds grew on!

Hi,
I think your daughter is sending her squirrels to my place, never had a fig from the fig trees, nor an avocado. Yes, the squirrels get to them first.
True they jump from tree to tree. Wildlife is wildlife, not much you can do.
From time to time petunia and rose bud come for a visit. I’m trying to get them a job at the Chanel perfume factory, but I guess nobody likes the smell of skunks.
After awhile you start to name the wildlife.
Actually skunks are pretty animals.
I’m off to have a late lunch.
Funcountess

@funcountess, My next door neighbor stands in his yard and hoses his tree squirrels into my yard!! What a guy, yes??? vbg

Guess sweet fragrances and skunks are in the eyes and noses of the beholders, right?? Actually I do agree that skunks with their tails Down are pretty animals. I got sprayed by one when a little girl at the park and now always give them a verrrrry wide berth. LOL

@fiesty76 That's the worst smell isn't it . I'm on the 4th floor but every once in awhile a skunk goes through . Smelly . Have you ever smelled skunk cabbage ? Found in woods wet areas just as bad

@lioness, I've heard of skunk cabbage but never come upon it. If it is as stinky as the skunk perfume, does it cling to clothes if brushed against? Would love to have a walk in some nearby woods; I really am a mtn momma; while my d. is a beach lover. Closest for me would be Ruidoso, NM. I can almost smell the wonderful mtn. air...ahhh