[Dailydrool] bassets and gardens

[Michael Meckler]

Before Dermot arrived, I had two rows of asparagus in the back  
garden...and anyone who has grown asparagus knows it takes a couple  
of years to get established and requires a fair amount of soil  
preparation (especially if you have clay soil, as I do).

Anyway, the first year I had Dermot, he paid no attention to the  
asparagus.

The second year, he showed no interest in the stalks when they first  
emerged and were harvested, but later in the summer, he started  
chewing on the stalks that were left to become fronds once the stalks  
had become somewhat hard and dry. I dismissed this as a variation on  
Dermot's penchant for chewing sticks.

The third year, Dermot took intense interest in the stalks as they  
emerged, chewing them down to the roots like a rabbit. I was unable  
to harvest any asparagus, and this year (the fourth), nothing came up  
at all.

So next year, I'm putting in a raised bed and will try to figure out  
a vegetable he won't eat. Any suggestions?