Don’t Surrender Your Bulbs To Rodents

Q. I watched your TV show recently, and you featured a beautiful tulip garden. What’s your secret?

We put in expensive bulbs, and the squirrels had a feast. - Dorothy Van Nostrand, North Babylon, N.Y.

A. Yours is a common problem - squirrels and other rodents do love bulbs. In fact, a lot of people are deterred from planting bulbs for this reason.

But there are ways you can outsmart the rodents. The most important thing to do is plant deep. It’s well worth the extra effort it takes to dig holes at least three times the size of the bulbs; 8 inches deep is a good general estimate.

Beyond that, you can treat the area with a deterrent. Hinder and Ropel are two brand names that are available at most garden-supply centers. Use with care, according to package instructions.

If you’re really besieged, you can always plant bulbs that animals don’t like, such as daffodils or ornamental alliums.

Cats and dogs can help too. I have such a menagerie at home that rodents aren’t all that daring on my property.

Q. I’m interested in copper pots and would like some advice about the different varieties.

What is the difference between copper pots and copper-clad pots? Is one better than the other for cooking? - Robin Cloud, Atlanta, Ga.

A. I have collected copper cooking pots for many years, and I very much enjoy using this type of cookware.

Copper has been the first choice of most chefs for more than 200 years because this pinkish metal conducts heat better than other metals and is easily shaped into wonderful pots and pans.

Most of these are made from heavy-duty solid copper that is lined with a thin layer of tin or other nonreactive metal such as stainless steel. (Unlined copper is not good to cook in because it will discolor most foods. If the tin melts from the sides or bottoms of your pots, retin them immediately.)

When buying copper pots, make sure you choose good, thick, weighty ones. Stay away from flimsy pots.

Copper-clad pots are constructed very differently. Generally, they are made from a thin layer of copper sandwiched between stainless steel. The only place you can see the copper is on the bottom of the pan.

While you don’t get the look of copper pots, you do get their superior heat conductivity. Copper-clad pots are also much less expensive than all-copper pots.

Q. How and when should one use “charger” plates? Some of them are quite striking and add an elegant touch to the table.

Can you use them with a soup course? When do you remove them? - Mrs. Harry Miller, Long Beach, Calif.

A. Chargers are oversize plates that can be used as service plates or as entree plates for a buffet. They are often used as decorative additions to a dining table and may be a different pattern from the rest of the china.

They can be quite unusual; I’ve seen beautiful ones made from china, silver, brass, straw, clay and even papier-mache.

Charger plates are usually on the table when guests sit down. Traditionally, they are removed when the first course is served. If food is being served French-style by butlers - not plated - then a new first-course plate is placed down as the charger plate is removed. Food is then served onto the new plate.

Nowadays, because most of us do not have household help to serve and clear, it is perfectly proper to leave chargers on the table during the first course. A soup bowl can be placed on top of the charger, as can a first course, appetizer or salad plate. Both plates are removed before the main course is served.

Q. Do you know of any vegetables that grow well in the shade?

Last summer I tried to grow a vegetable garden with some of the children who use our library. Unfortunately, the space available received very little light, and our garden was not very successful.

I researched this topic but was unable to come up with anything edible that we could grow in the shade. - Rachel S. Fox, Children’s Services, Port Washington Public Library, Port Washington, N.Y.

A. There aren’t many vegetables that can thrive without good strong sunlight. Classic summer crops such as tomatoes, eggplants and peppers demand full sun.

You might try rhubarb or parsley, or root crops, such as carrots, radishes and turnips, but even these need at least a few hours of sun each day.

However, you certainly shouldn’t give up your hope of gardening in the shade. There are so many lovely flowers and different kinds of foliage that would be beautiful. Check your library for books on shade gardening.

MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@msl.timeinc.com.

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