Battle Squirrel 2014

Well, that organic squirrel deterrent wasn't.

Not much from the spring planting survived.

A few broccoli.

Some herbs and peas.

And the pretty pansies, which really have been cheering.

The onions were squirrel-proof, as promised.  A few got dug up and nibbled, but the rest were entirely left alone.  But they didn't stop the squirrels from traipsing their way through and eating all the greens.

So, we're trying something new.

Stephen built me a few pest-deterrent cages.

 
(He had lots of help.)

Wood frame, covered in chicken wire.

All right, you vermin.  Here's another salad bar for you.  Come and get it.

Battle Squirrel 2014

Okay, last year's garden was an unmitigated disaster.

The squirrels ate everything, and everything the squirrels left, the cats dug up, and every thing the cats left the bad soil left stunted and bitter.

But hope springs eternal in the gardener's breast, so I'm trying again this year.

Parsley and broccoli and lettuce, with onions standing sentry around the outside.  The bare spot is where I've planted some peas.

Two boxes of broccoli, red cabbage, and lettuce, again with the protective barrier of onions.

Chard, cilantro, and lettuce, plus some overwintered pansies that may be starting to flower.  And our good friends, the onions.

I'm really, really hoping that the friend that told me onions repel squirrels is right.  But, just in case, all the white powdery stuff is an organic pest deterrent.  (Pepper oil and cinnamon oil and such.)

So.  There we go.  Spring planting.

(Six-year-old added for scale.)