What Do Rodents Do After Dinner?… Gopher A Walk!
Well the last of the unseasonal cold should be behind us by Thursday or Friday and hopefully we will be on to more traditional gardening weather where Cucumber and many more seeds can be planted with success. Beans alone need the soil temperature to be around 60 degrees or the seed will often just rot in the ground. I am looking forward to packing up my long underwear and dawning more summer like clothing. As my dear departed father would have said it was cold enough for two neck ties this past couple of weeks but with the heavy rain and hail no one spoke of any damage. The last Lumby Market turned out much warmer and with just a sprinkling of rain for a short period before the sun came out which was not in the forecast at all and made for a delightful day. I was pleased to have an opportunity to look around myself at the wares our vendors provide as is not usual for our more busy days. A new vendor has hand woven carry alls and baskets from Ghiana that are absolutely amazing and should be checked out by everyone as they are beautiful and very high quality. I saw many walk away with these treasures through out the day. I’ve still been too busy to catch up on the many stories on the news both good and bad other than old Trumpy was found guilty on all of the charges he was facing and Picton died of his injuries after being attacked in a prison in Quebec. Obviously his French was beyond despicable and some other mass murderer took umbrage. The fact he was kept on life support for the length of time he was is an insult to all.
There were some interesting problems that came up with a few clients at the Market this weekend and already garden pests are causing some issues. One lady has an issue with Gophers and with the picture she showed me of the cute little thing confirmed that. With all rodents their destruction can be painful and living within city limits disallows shooting them. Planting bulbs like tulips, Crocuses and other small bulbs in mesh either plastic or metal can prevent them from eating the bulbs but be sure to leave a hole in the bottom to allow their root development and growth. An oven rack or screen mesh over the planting area or when over wintering the bulbs until the bulbs are established will prevent them from digging them up and this can be removed once you see them breaking through the ground. Used Cat litter sprinkled in Mole, Gopher holes and other pests that burrow can cause them to move to other areas as well as the Cats can be good deterrents. They are not very fond of hot spices such as cayenne which can be made into a solution and sprayed on the plants they seem to favour. Put 1 tablespoon in a gallon of water and allow to soak for an hour then spray on your plants it will also help with other pests like deer who dislike spice and Snap Dragons that you can grow as a buffer or inter mingle them with plants that the deer favour. Old and smelly pet bedding can be placed where you see the routes that deer, raccoons and rabbits are coming into your yard as well as human hair in mesh bags can also discourage these pests.
Aphids and Whitefly are also trying to find a home in the greenhouse but a quick spray of soap and water have worked wonders so far this should be repeated every 4 or 5 days to keep them in check if they get more voracious I will step up my spray to Neem oil and this should do the trick. I saw a wasp last week it is the first I’ve seen this season no doubt due to the cold. I hope that this is not one of their more abundant years as I am terrified and allergic as many of you have seen my outrageous antics when pestered at the market. I’m glad I can be so amusing!
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
