Fall is when I like to divide and transplant perennials but don't always get the work done before rain, frost and snow take over and I have missed out again. I also like to plant more spring bulbs; no one ever has enough tulips and daffodils in my estimation.

The squirrels that live here are fat and lazy and rarely dig tulip bulbs but they regard crocus as caviar and I have almost given up trying to grow them. We have tried covering the bulb beds with chicken wire and soil, but the squirrels just wait until the foliage is up and nip it right off.

I've written about our squirrels before. There is an Alpha squirrel here who tells the others what to do and who gets first dibs at the corn we fruitlessly put out as deterrent.

Recently I wrote about the squirrel family that was dispossessed from a maple tree and which moved into a horse chestnut and left large branches and litter all over our lawn. They were evicted by means of a large tin band around that tree that kept them from climbing, sort of like changing the locks on a tenant you don't like. Those poor homeless squirrels have now moved again, we think, into our huge old walnut tree.

Now you would think that a walnut tree is a natural home for a squirrel, but these squirrels ignore the walnuts scattered under the tree and head straight for the bird feeders.

Recently we returned home from a vacation trip to find our favorite (actually, our only) Hibiscus plant completely bare of blooms and leaves with just a few twigs left on the main stem. We were mystified until we caught the Alpha squirrel in the act; he had climbed the four foot Hibiscus tree and was teething on a twig.

It has been explained to me that the poor thirsty squirrels need to chew on plants like Hibiscus in order to get water. We don't understand why they can't drink from the pond like all the other birds and animals do, or even from a birdbath, but no, these squirrels need to get their moisture from a Hibiscus.

We know this really must be revenge for removing the maple tree in the first place. These squirrels are undoubtedly the great-grandsons of the critter who once lived in our attic and it's clear they hate us. Nevertheless I am going to win this war. I have sprinkled rodent deterrent around the pot holding the Hibiscus and next I plan to cover it with a net. When winter comes I will move it inside. On second thought, maybe that is not such a good idea.

A few other things I hope to do before winter comes:

Order spring bulbs for October planting

Finish taking pictures to document the new plants in perennial beds

Plant the spinach seeds we forgot before leaving on vacation

Fertilize the lawn once more

Try to collect a few black walnuts before the squirrels decide they like them after all

Going Green with Evergreens

U of I Extension will be hosting a teleconference "Going Green with Evergreens "on September 30 at 1 pm. It will be held at the Coles County Extension office. The program will focus on evergreen trees and shrubs that will give your landscape year round interest. Advance registration is needed by Friday, September 26 to have handouts available at the program. To register you may send a check made payable to UI Extension, 707 Windsor Rd, Suite A, Charleston for $5 per person to the listed address. For other options, call 345-7034.

If you have any horticulture questions, call the U of I Extension office 345-7034. Volunteer

Master Gardeners are in the office on: Monday—2 to 4 p.m. and Wednesday—9-11 a.m.

This column is based on information and materials at the University of Illinois Extension office, located at 707 Windsor Road, Suite A., Charleston, 61920; phone 345-7034; or web site: www.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/