It seems to be the year for pests going after our gardens and orchards here at Struan Farm, at least birds and rats (or so we think).
The only exception is that there have been no rabbits in evidence around at all. Normally you would have me ranting and raving about wascally wabbits eating my seedling flowers, but not this year. Not one nibble. The neighbour's cat has been prowling around the property, and we've also seen a hawk circling frequently. Not sure who exactly has been on the job but I'll keep them on.
This season is also the year of the bumper crop for plums. The trees are absolutely groaning under the weight of fruit. And the birds mobilise up in the trees, poised to hit any fruit that approaches ripeness during the hot days. Now I don't mind sharing some fruit, we have more than enough, but when it comes to stripping the trees I just won't have it. I tried the silvery "scare" tape first as a deterrent, then added dangling CDs and a few other clanky bits of shiny metal and wind chimes. Those weren't really working, so I bought netting. It's unsightly and awkward to use, I'd prefer not to use it. Next year I think I'll invest in better quality nylon netting from the nursery that could probably be reused more easily, although I'm not sure how I'd put it up on the trees, and hubby doesn't exactly volunteer for these sort of assignments. As I was out there tying it all on I could heard the birds up in the trees gossiping about what I was up to.
So the word has gone out that I've done my best to make their lives more difficult when it comes to eating my plums. I'm expecting retaliation of some sort, but then again I have left some fruit uncovered for them as a gesture. And can I also say that I see some major pruning in my future?
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