In working my way thru planting season and yard clean-up, it would seem that we have yet another issue. We have a super highway running thru our yard. Are they Moles or are they Voles. Who cares! I just want them out of my yard. We truly have one of the nicest yards on the block. The husband works very hard at keeping it neat and tidy and I work very hard at “playing in my garden.” But this year the voles have destroyed my retaining wall creating huge mounds of dirt and holes and sinking my huge planters so everything has to be reworked and leveled. Not to mention the plants they have murdered. They have played havoc in the back 40 by the fence line, created a series of about 10 holes in one area of the yard with a huge 6″ hole tunneling into these other holes. The front yard is an interstate system of runnels. Time to call the professionals!

A call to our lawn service and a discussion with the pest people and an appointment was made. Depending on who I talked to, we had voles no but wait, you have moles! So my guy, he is my guy now, came out yesterday and he said they are definitely voles even though there are mounds of dirt everywhere ( apparently a mole thing).

He baited them and we are now waiting to see if it worked. My guy (I told him he was my hero yesterday) said to pack and tamp the holes with fresh dirt and that I could do that right away. We haven’t yet but this will be a project for the next couple of days. In doing this he said it will make it much easier for him to tell if the bait was successful when he comes back in two weeks to check progress.

Digging in the dirt and planting flowers are one of my favorite things to do. In fact I realized today why I don’t do much spring decorating inside. Besides the fact that I like my “stuff” so much that I don’t care what season it is.

My spring decorating budget and energy are put into spring planting. Creating a lovely environment for the husband and I too commune in the summer months. We both agree this is our happy place. Coffee with a blankie at 6 AM and watching the steam come off the cup, listening to the birds waking up is an absolute pleasure.

The mama robin who has taken up residence in our pergola, scolds us every time we raise and lower the blind. She has 3 babies now and though we continue to have conversations with her about not charging her rent, and there is absolutely no way that we will disturb her nest she has yet to be convinced. So we let her yell at us as we go about our business but, we do know who rules the roost!

Update!!!

So after many hours spent digging, leveling and tamping and 3 40lbs bags of top soil, I am happy to say the husband managed to get the eyebrow done. His muscles and hands were so sore last night that I don’t know what kind of progress will be made today. But battles weren’t won in a day and this is an all out war!!! I will get these critters out of my yard if it is the last thing I do!

So onward with more yard clean-up and a bit more planting. Ok if you’re a gardener are you ever done planting?

Thanks for stopping

Shelley