Repost 29 April 2007: Bit Upset

And so the chemical warfare against Bubba the Squirrel begins for this year. I have croziers in the crown of the Dicksonia and I know it's going to take almost daily spraying with tabasco spray to keep the little bugger off.

To make my squirrel spray you will need:

• One old household spray bottle (well washed out)
  
• One-eighth of a bottle of tabasco sauce
  
• A few drops of washing-up liquid

Put the tabasco sauce and washing-up liquid in the bottle and top up with water. Shake gently to mix everything up, then mist over leaves and crown. Squirrels are apparently not keen on peppery smells and tastes, but it doesn't bother birds or insects. I plan to use this spray on my vegetables too.

Yesterday I was proudly showing off my Dicksonia and the date palm I got half price (Phoenix canariensis) to my friend. I had a few new fronds coming through, and thought I had managed to deter the squirrels. Today we came home from Kingston (had to take the mobile to be repaired as I was getting the White Screen of Death) and I went out into the garden to find the two newest fronds had been removed, and one of the larger older ones was lying on the ground next to the pot. I don't know whether the pepper spray I'd been using has had no effect on the squirrels, or whether it's a fox or even a human. The Dicksonia was the most expensive plant I've ever bought, at £25. I've cared for it through the winter - it survived the frost and the snow unscathed. I spent a fair amount of my first salaried paycheque on the plants, so that would mean I must have bought them all at the start of November. So I've had them six months. I know they are "just" plants, but I've invested a lot of time, money and emotion in them.

And in the same way that if I came home to find artwork had been destroyed, or if a manuscript had been scribbled over, I'm sad. I don't know whether there will be any more fronds. I don't know how I can stop the squirrels from eating them, if they are squirrels. Paul said he heard someone outside last night - I don't know what would be worse - my plants being eaten or vandalised. At least if they were vandalised then it would have been a one-off. I will be absolutely gutted if I lose the tree fern. It's my baby, and the first plant I bought to make my Jurassic garden. What's the point in continuing with the garden if my Dicksonia dies?

You'll be pleased to know I persevered with this one...