Squirrels are the sworn enemy of urban gardeners. The proprietor of the biggest Park Slope garden shop (AKA NYC garden central) even advises surrender. "There's nothing you can do about squirrels," he says. "Just pretend they're your neighbors and assume they're going to eat 40% of your harvest."
To this I respond: "No way!" For those of you battling squirrels in your garden, allow me to introduce our solution: The Crown of Thorns. The beautiful pink flowers lure in unsuspecting squirrels and cats who are struck by the thorns of justice. This teaches them not to mess with your garden, or at least that particular patch of your garden. Our friends Sarah and David are responsible for bringing the Crown of Thorns into my life. They have a fantastic container garden, but the squirrels were digging up their flower and herb pots and eating their tomatoes. One Saturday at the Prospect Park Farmer's market David set out in search of "the most hardcore cactus available." They brought home the Crown of Thorns.
I bought five a few weeks ago, and I've had good results planting just two in key spots in the garden. The other three are growing quite happily in 4 inch pots. Our nemesis is a stray cat that tended to treat our well mulched plots as a litter box. I planted the crown of thorns near the exit and entry points that we'd observed for said cat intruder, and he's since changed his path. Sadly, this cat is some kind of Brooklyn urban commando super mammal, and is able to jump our seven foot fence in transit between the backyards of our quiet Park Slope block. However, he doesn't linger in our yard anymore, doesn't keep us up at night with his screaming, and most importantly doesn't shit on my basil. And better, I don't remember the last time I saw a squirrel in our yard!
The Crown of Thorns is related to our old holiday friend Poinsetta. If you want to order some seedlings, I'll split some with you. Or if you have one you can graft it into fresh soil and grow a few more. Despite what I was told at the florist, they do enjoy flexible amounts of water, and can live outside. In fact, ours are thriving!
Perhaps you are still not convinced. Did I mention the Crown of Thorns' posionous properties? Blankees.com's database of poisonous plants tells us:
This plant contains caustic and irritant chemicals in the latex. Avoid contact to the skin and eyes. General symptoms of ingestion are: abdominal pains, blistering/irritation of the mouth/throat and vomiting.
Also available is a 15" version of the plant, sometimes know as "Christ's Thorns" or "The King's Mantle," which can be ordered from Scott's Flowers at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City; (212) 727 2800, Ask for Ivan. They're $25 each, tell them David Jacobs ("the cactus guy") sent you.
Recent Comments