Who’s ready for the season!!!

rayray said:
I started off with some bad luck, freakin' voles got my Chicago Hardy, my two Sicilian Etna figs, and my two Sicilian white figs! With two they went right into the roots! I trimmed back the best I could and maybe got some cuttings. We'll see what happens from here--they've survived a lot over the years but NEVER voles. I couldn't believe the damage they've done.

I've never had an issue with voles until about three years ago but they only went after my potatoes.
Click to expand...
I’m worried about voles too. Noticed they had some trails under my fig hut this year. I sprinkled the deterrent around but pretty sure they laughed at it. They are still around I’m sure I keep seeing the tunnels pop up. Hate they got your trees, hope they don’t get mine. 😡
 
Jigfig said:
Are you planning to install hardware cloth or some other preventative to stop them in the future?
Click to expand...
They only attacked the figs that were near the compost bin, I didn't think I had them anymore because there was no issue in last years vegetable garden. The one dog actually killed two last night, the question is if this is going to be an ongoing problem, and how many do I have? The compost bin is made out of old pallets that I covered in black weed cloth, think they nested themselves inside the pallets. Using a layer of burlap and old coffee bean bags then straw as a protective layer didn't help either, they made a few nests in between the figs. I made them a nice warm home.

For some reason about 3 years ago me and my two neighbors had issues, and two of my friends also had big vole problems at the same time. It's almost like some years are a lot worse than others. My one buddy set out traps and said he caught 20 voles in about two hours! Last summer I had a really good garter snake population, hopefully it's the same this season.

I tell ya, every year is a new adventure with this gardening. Last year was a terrible year with squirrels, me and my neighbor lost every pear, like every single pear off our tree's. Apparently they don't like peaches. The Cooper Hawk is back so maybe this year will be different.

I'll have to figure something out.
 
rayray said:
I started off with some bad luck, freakin' voles got my Chicago Hardy, my two Sicilian Etna figs, and my two Sicilian white figs! With two they went right into the roots! I trimmed back the best I could and maybe got some cuttings. We'll see what happens from here--they've survived a lot over the years but NEVER voles. I couldn't believe the damage they've done.

I've never had an issue with voles until about three years ago but they only went after my potatoes.
Click to expand...
Damn!! I’m sorry to hear about that. We all run in issues like this but voles eating the roots sucks. Hope they bounce back.
 
BruceB said:
Same here except those little figgies have been enjoying this weather on the driveway. Most are on pallets with coasters. 20 or so plants in or out in 30 minutes tops. It is supposed to be nice until Wednesday so shufle on!
Click to expand...
They’re just out for a good watering then back inside. Our weather is unpredictable in the north this time of year. Soon they will all go in the greenhouse by the 15th.
 
Last edited:
TorontoJoe said:
I'm hoping to pull everything out this week. Fingers crossed the weather keeps doing what it's doing.

We're at the transition point between soppressata season and fig season now! :)
Click to expand...
This year I didn’t make any soppressata freakin meat is getting more and more expensive. I made lots last year which I still have but next year I will not miss out again. Usually at this time I would be cleaning and vacuum packing 60-70 soppressatas. 😃 but sometimes you gotta save some money in the piggy bank.
 
Vitooch1 said:
This year I didn’t make any soppressata freakin meat is getting more and more expensive. I made lots last year which I still have but next year I will not miss out again. Usually at this time I would be cleaning and vacuum packing 60-70 soppressatas. 😃 but sometimes you gotta save some money in the piggy bank.
Click to expand...
It’s true that wisdom comes with life’s challenges and age. You made the right decision last year to make more than you need. Can soppressata be made with wild boar? If so and if there are boar in Canada it might be worth it to hunt one and either butcher it yourself or pay someone to do it.
 
rayray said:
They only attacked the figs that were near the compost bin, I didn't think I had them anymore because there was no issue in last years vegetable garden. The one dog actually killed two last night, the question is if this is going to be an ongoing problem, and how many do I have? The compost bin is made out of old pallets that I covered in black weed cloth, think they nested themselves inside the pallets. Using a layer of burlap and old coffee bean bags then straw as a protective layer didn't help either, they made a few nests in between the figs. I made them a nice warm home.

For some reason about 3 years ago me and my two neighbors had issues, and two of my friends also had big vole problems at the same time. It's almost like some years are a lot worse than others. My one buddy set out traps and said he caught 20 voles in about two hours! Last summer I had a really good garter snake population, hopefully it's the same this season.

I tell ya, every year is a new adventure with this gardening. Last year was a terrible year with squirrels, me and my neighbor lost every pear, like every single pear off our tree's. Apparently they don't like peaches. The Cooper Hawk is back so maybe this year will be different.

I'll have to figure something out.
Click to expand...
For this reason, I got rid of my compost bin.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdh
I got my two potted trees out last night - pruned, roots raked, applied a generous amount of crab meal and garden tone and topped with ~3/4” of oyster shell.

They’ll at least get to spend a few days in the warm sun until the cold arrives again.

IMG_3288.png
 
RedSkip said:
3/4” of oyster shell, is that a normal dose?
Click to expand...
No idea - never used it before. In years past I used a bark mulch, but switching it up this season.

The oyster shells, although pullet sized, should still take a long time to break down and serve my purpose as a mulch and a very long term release calcium amendment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top