Petunias

Love your show! Have question which perplexed me this summer. My petunias are doing quite well but lately have squirrels rummaging and muching vigorously on the leaves. Have never seen this before. One basket is pretty well decimated. Previous years, no problem. Any idea why? Thanks and have a wonderful Autumn.

R.H., Chapel Hill

Anne's response:

The heat and drought this summer have made animals do strange things.

Squirrels are looking for any plants with moisture and they are evidently searching for places to hide their stash of food for winter.

You might put a shallow pan of water out to let the squirrels have a drink on hot days. They have started crawling up in my raised bed of lettuce!