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My very own squirrel friends
I
ENJOYED reading Val Bourne’s article about ‘wildlife populations’ (AG, 21 December) and although the red squirrel is more popular than its grey cousin, I do find the greys enchanting little creatures. They inhabit the grounds of the apartments where I live, and much pleasure is derived from watching their antics, such as burying shelled nuts in the lawns. They exercise by
chasing each other up and down the large trees that we back onto. They’re intelligent and enjoy conversation; they always look up when I chat to them out of my open window. There is a squirrel feeder alongside those I have for the birds, and the two different species feed in harmony. Proudly, I class them as my friends. Mrs Gloria Wilding, Merseyside
Switched on too early! JUST thought I would send in a picture of my ceanothus, which started to bloom just before Christmas. It now seems to be opening up fast and obviously doesn’t realise that it’s not meant to be blooming yet! Susan Grant, Rochford, Essex
Star letter
The grey squirrel is intelligent – and fascinating to watch
Quest to banish invader
Susan’s ceanothus, in flower during December
I WOULD like to comment on Jo Negus’s reply to AJ Willetts (AG, 18 January), regarding eradicating Himalayan balsam. There is no need to cut it down or use weedkiller. With my Canal & River Trust Volunteer Group, we have just pulled it out, root and all, with great success, We have cleare several metres of it over the la five years to create an award-w garden. As long as you get it be seed pods form, it doesn’t come back. Ruth Stephens, via email
Himalayan balsam can be controlled without chemicals
Swapsies, anyone? LIKE many people, we were sat there on the 27th wondering, so now what? Christmas and Boxing Day had come and gone quicker than a wage packet, and we were in that vacuum where the weather is too miserable to go out with the perpetual groundhog day of TV shows from generations past. Then our dog sprang into life, as a shape appeared at the front door. Too late to be a Wise Man from the East – it turned out to be a man from the Post Office, bringing gifts of seed catalogues, magazines, and no bills! Just like kids before Christmas, we started our lists again, hoping that we could get what we wanted. Even taking into account that we aren’t based in Babylon and what we have 54 AMATEUR GARDENING 8 FEBRUARY 2020
‘hanging’ is a few baskets rather than entire gardens, there was still an extensive wish list that took days to complete. One thing Santa didn’t bring is the ‘Mystic Meg’ crystal ball to guess the front cover seeds for 2020. Speaking like a child of bygone days, if you do get ‘doublers’ they make lovely swapsies with your pals. What a great and unexpected start to the gardening year! Steve Evans, Llanelli, Carms
Bumper free seeds: “What a great start to the gardening year!”
Wendy says: There’s nothing like a bit of planning at this time of year to lift the spirits. Glad you enjoy the seeds.
