While clearing the corner of the garden, I can across some holes to a possible animal hidey hole under ground. Then as I was clearing more of the debris, I came across a skeleton of a hedgehog. It had been dead for a very long time, so it wasn’t me. Just thought you would like to see, it’s fascinating. However, if you don’t like looking at that sort of thing feel free to close your eyes, or skip through that part.
Clairesallotment's Blog 
Claire, you were right, there was a hedgehog in the pile. Nature’s circle of life is a bit harsh some times. Usually in my experience where there’s one there’s another or a family but since this one has been gone for quite some time the others must have moved on. I would say that den is vacant.
I don’t know if we have hedgehogs in the States but we have the big brother called a groundhog. They don’t have the prickly body and are much bigger. I have one near my garden but she (I know it’s a she because three years ago little hogs were spotted) hasn’t been a problem in the garden. The neighbor across the road tried to garden but the groundhog ate everything. I haven’t seen her around in the last couple years so I’m not sure that she hasn’t died as well. It’s been about six years since I first saw her and according to google that’s about the average life span for one in the wild. In captivity they can live twice that long.
https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4295675845118561357#editor/target=post;postID=6067668614963195005;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=62;src=postname Here’s a link to a blog post that I did five years ago with a picture of her checking me out. It was at the time when I was just starting to clear the area for Terra Nova Gardens.
Have a great day in the garden.
Claire, oops this will be a better link for viewing Nebraska Phillis. https://olddavesgarden.blogspot.com/2012/11/
Oh wow they’re so lovely. So if they eat everything you try to grow, do you have to grow all your crops in fruit cages?
Claire, I have spent the better part of the first four years build a network of fences to keep out the wild kingdom. A six foot wooden fence to keep out the deer; a five foot steel welded fence to keep out the rabbits and such; and an electric fence to keep out the raccoons. Now if I can just figure out a way to deal with field mice, I’ll have it under total control. It’s been a challenge but I love to work with nature and not against it. After all, I did invade their territory.
Have a great day developing the best garden ever.
Nice video again Claire, although at the beginning as I was watching (but not listening as closely as I should have) I was thinking, ‘what a dark and interesting choice for the t-shirt’ and that it was the sort of thing that appealed to my dark sense of humor. Then low and behold I made the connection to the dear departed Mrs. Tiggly-Winkle and appreciated it so much more. It was like my old Beatles’ albums with their hidden messages; makes me wonder if I should go back and watch your old videos for other hidden Easter eggs. Thanks again Claire!
The t shirt I was wearing I put on first thing before I’d even gone out in the garden and started to work on the mound. It was just accidental that I was wearing that t shirt. Honestly.
Cosmically perfect then, all I know is that I’m adding that to my xmas list when its time so my adult son and daughter can shake their heads and laugh (and hopefully buy…)
I’ve got lots of interesting t shirt, my favourite is my purple t shirt, which I’ll wear soon.
I can’t wait, I hope its something that again appeals to my sense of humor, perhaps a quote from Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life song to keep the memory of Mrs. Tiggly-Winkly alive.
I’m sure they will.