above ground bed, voles anticipated, need advice
Moderators: ViolaAnn, redcrx, Chris_W
above ground bed, voles anticipated, need advice
i am going to be putting in some above ground beds at my new townhouse. i have already seen one vole earlier last year. what is it that i need to put on the ground before i put my good soil in the bed in preparation of my hostas arrival? chicken wire seems too big hole wise, but i seem to remember there was something recommended i just don't remember what it was.
ladybug
ladybug
life is too short to be unhappy
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i went to see michael buble in concert in charlotte nc on march 18 and it was fabulous!!
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Voles are tod to avoid afrea where fritillarias are around here...in US ??? maybe an idea
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
- Minnow
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Vole Block from Permatill
New Plantings
Step 1. Place two inches of VoleBloc on the surface and till into the soil to a depth of six to eight inches.
Step 2. Dig the hole for the plant eight inches wider and one inch deeper than the root ball.
Step 3. Place two inches of VoleBloc on the bottom of the planting hole.
Step 4. Remove the plant from its container and place into the planting hole so one inch of the root ball is above the existing grade.
Step 5. Fill around the plant to the top of the hole with a four inch wide band of VoleBloc. Pack the tilled soil lightly around the plant (do not bury the top of the root ball with soil).
Step 6. Place an inch or two of VoleBloc on the surface around the stem of the plant as a mulch to protect the root crown. Use organic mulch sparingly as voles tend to tunnel under it.
Protecting Existing Plants
Step 1. Dig a Moat one foot deep and four to six inches wide around the drip line of the plant.
Step 2. Fill the Moat to the top with VoleBloc.
Step 3. Replace any mulch around the base of the plant with one or two inches of VoleBloc.
This is what I have been using for the last 2 years. So far I have only lost one hosta to voles.
New Plantings
Step 1. Place two inches of VoleBloc on the surface and till into the soil to a depth of six to eight inches.
Step 2. Dig the hole for the plant eight inches wider and one inch deeper than the root ball.
Step 3. Place two inches of VoleBloc on the bottom of the planting hole.
Step 4. Remove the plant from its container and place into the planting hole so one inch of the root ball is above the existing grade.
Step 5. Fill around the plant to the top of the hole with a four inch wide band of VoleBloc. Pack the tilled soil lightly around the plant (do not bury the top of the root ball with soil).
Step 6. Place an inch or two of VoleBloc on the surface around the stem of the plant as a mulch to protect the root crown. Use organic mulch sparingly as voles tend to tunnel under it.
Protecting Existing Plants
Step 1. Dig a Moat one foot deep and four to six inches wide around the drip line of the plant.
Step 2. Fill the Moat to the top with VoleBloc.
Step 3. Replace any mulch around the base of the plant with one or two inches of VoleBloc.
This is what I have been using for the last 2 years. So far I have only lost one hosta to voles.
Elizabeth
No man needs a vacation as bad as the man who has just had one.
No man needs a vacation as bad as the man who has just had one.
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Cats
I'm with Marlys. If you can keep a young, indoor-outdoor cat in your townhouse, that's the ideal solution.
George
George
George
- Chris_W
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Hi Laydbug,
Are you worried about them getting in through the bottom or the top? I didn't know they were any worse in raised beds, but I suppose they have a greater chance of getting in or nesting somewhere.
Cats and poison are my two lines of defense. If you are worried about them getting into the bottom of a raised bed maybe you could line it with some screen, but not sure how well it would do since they can chew through just about anything.
I hope your new beds work out great for you though
Good luck!
Chris
Are you worried about them getting in through the bottom or the top? I didn't know they were any worse in raised beds, but I suppose they have a greater chance of getting in or nesting somewhere.
Cats and poison are my two lines of defense. If you are worried about them getting into the bottom of a raised bed maybe you could line it with some screen, but not sure how well it would do since they can chew through just about anything.
I hope your new beds work out great for you though
Good luck!
Chris
I have been battling voles for years and have used pots planted in the ground with slashes to allow root growth. This does a good job preventing underground attack. I also have had luck planting the plants in crushed limestone gravel since the voles do not like to drill through it. I have never used VoleGuard so have had above ground attacks mainly defoliating and sometimes root damage.
I have been religiously using a liquid fertilizer called Algoflash to build strong roots so if they get eaten there is almost always enough root remaining to bring the plant back although much smaller. If we have any devoured plants I am careful to keep watering the scene of the crime to keep the roots going. Good luck - short of an outdoor cat, nothing will be failproof in IMHO.
I have been religiously using a liquid fertilizer called Algoflash to build strong roots so if they get eaten there is almost always enough root remaining to bring the plant back although much smaller. If we have any devoured plants I am careful to keep watering the scene of the crime to keep the roots going. Good luck - short of an outdoor cat, nothing will be failproof in IMHO.
The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the birds for mirth
One is nearer God's heart in the garden
Than anywhere on earth
Doris Frances Gurney "Garden Thoughts"
The song of the birds for mirth
One is nearer God's heart in the garden
Than anywhere on earth
Doris Frances Gurney "Garden Thoughts"