Urban Foxes
In like a lion out like a lamb, that's March for you. This month we've had brilliant sunshine, torrential rain, gale force winds and snow. But there's one topic that sparks more controversy for gardeners than the weather - and that's urban foxes. Never has one subject polarised public opinion so much. For some, foxes are cute wildlife visitors, for others they're now't short of vermin, hell-bent on destroying your precious plot. For my part, I'm sitting firmly on the Pickett fence with this one. On the one hand, I love looking out to see my gorgeous deep red dog-fox casually strolling along the wall outside my kitchen window, but at 3am when he's screeching at the moon it's a different story.
My Mum took great pleasure in feeding foxes and couldn't understand our protests. Without the foxes she claimed, we would be over-run by rats and fall foul of every medieval plague they were sure to carry. But no matter where you sit with this one, there's no getting away from the fact that foxes can cause mayhem in the garden. Last Sunday Marion from Glasgow called the Beechgrove Potting Shed for advice on keeping the pesky critters at bay. Like me she agreed they are gorgeous, but she's now practically under siege from a whole family of foxes who are digging holes, doing their business in her hedge and just generally taking over. The team at the Shed have quizzed various councils on their policy for tackling this problem and we'll let you know the results on Sunday. Meantime, I've been told that certain feline-deterrents also work on foxes, and one plant which is supposed to ward off cats, dogs and foxes alike is the 'Scardy Cat' or the Coleus Canina to give it its proper name. I have no idea if it lives up to its reputation, but it's worth a go. Best grown in full sun, I'm reliably informed (by the man who is trying to sell it to me!) that the Coleus makes an attractive addition to any border with its grey-green leaves and pale blue flowers. And although animals hate the smell, apparently it's not offensive to humans. I'll let you know how I get on later with this one, and with two resident cats on the prowl I shall soon get the measure of this herbaceous perennial.
This week saw a rare glimpse of sunshine, which no one can argue is a very welcome sight for all gardeners, and if you're a fan of 'grow-your-own', we'll soon be able to start planting out our veg. This Sunday Frances Pringle is in the Shed, giving top tips on how to get the best of your five-a-day. I plan to grow beetroot this year. I've never tried it before but recently tried my hand at making beetroot chutney with fabulous results! Now, for those of you who know me, I'm not the tidiest of cooks. And beetroot by its very nature leaves a trail of evidence across everything it touches. So be warned. As I merrily chopped and stirred and boiled I was totally unaware that my cream kitchen was completely covered in splashes of bright red juice. It was only when my husband sauntered in and looked totally aghast at the mess that I realised all was not well at Chez Moi. 'What on earth's happened?' he cried, surveying the carnage in front of him, 'have you been dying your hair again!' Needless to say I said nothing. Merely gave him one of my now famous withering looks, passed down through the female line of my family for generations and carried on with my preserves.
Anyway, just one other thing before I go, don't forget our new 'Get Gardening' campaign at the Shed. If you're new to gardening, or have an unruly corner that's getting the better of you, then get in touch and we may be able to help. We're sending our experts around the country in a bid to get you on the right track, and you may even get a jar of beetroot chutney thrown in too if all goes well!
Looking forward to speaking to you all on Sunday...
Take care...
Theresa
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