[Bill]

My garden was sorta beat this year. One thing, I didn't have enough time to work it this year, but it was a strange summer here this year. I saw fewer bees, not even any bumblebees and no snakes at all in my yard. Last year there was a snake every couple of steps. The first toad I saw was a few days ago. Awful late in the season. Not many turtles on the river, either. I don't use any pesticides or even any real fertilizer, relying mainly on compost and working the soil. I've talked to a few gardening friends this year and they said everyone had a lame garden. Anyone else having trouble? Observed anything unusual this year? Or is it just me and my sad garden. I did see a chipmunk running all around in one of my cherry tomato plants and raising hell. I think he's eating them 30 seconds before they get ripe enough to pick. I didn't know a chipmunk ate tomatoes, but I'm starting to suspect that they do. They're wiley little creatures. Any thoughts?