cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 11:04:47 GMT -5
Don't see a lawn/garden thread so figured I'd start one!
We have a decent yard at our new place, nice sized front w/ a Dogwood tree and flowers, two little side areas (one with a patio) and a back, which is OK but at a slope and has the Shed of Death back there. My only goals for this year are to try to plant some grass, try to make the patio a decent place to sit, put some container flowers in a few areas to brighten it up, and just see what comes up where. I'd like the place to look ok for the nice weather, and right now it looks like shit!
I have a friend who is going to advise on seeding the front and possibly one area of the side yard, it's probably 75% dirt and some little viney looking plants right now, so hopefully we'll be able to do that ourselves. He said after a few years if we seed we should have a nice lawn. I have an old cement bird bath in the bed next to the patio that I want to make a flower planter, but it's shallow and broken, so unsure what I'll do with that yet.
The other issue we have is holes... there are freaking chipmunks or moles in the yard. This is actually a topic being discussed on my town's facebook group right now, many people have them. I saw chipmunks going in them last year, but a lot of people say it's chipmunks and/or moles. Anyone have any good ways to try and cut them down? I feel bad killing little animals, but I seriously don't want holes all over my yard. Some of them are big enough you'd twist an ankle in them.
Would love to be able to post pics of some of my plants as they come up, if there are any resident garden experts who could help me with identification!
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Apr 13, 2017 11:57:17 GMT -5
Oh good, I've been thinking about a thread like this as well.
We had the same problem with chipmunks and moles. We finally hired a lawn service last year for weed/feed and to deal with the moles. Getting rid of it moles has seemed to get rid of most of the chipmunks as well.
My current issue is that the yard is being taken over by Moss. It's shadey, but not that shadey yet! Bought some lime to try to adjust the soil pH. I'll probably just end up killing everything, lol!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 13:29:22 GMT -5
The moles eat the grubs in the lawn that kill the grass. They are not always a bad thing if not too many. We need some good weather here so I can get outside and work- with hat. So far we have lots of Virginia blue bells coming up, Bloodroot, Bleeding hearts, Columbine and weeds. Lots of weeds.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 13, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -5
Don't see a lawn/garden thread so figured I'd start one! We have a decent yard at our new place, nice sized front w/ a Dogwood tree and flowers, two little side areas (one with a patio) and a back, which is OK but at a slope and has the Shed of Death back there. My only goals for this year are to try to plant some grass, try to make the patio a decent place to sit, put some container flowers in a few areas to brighten it up, and just see what comes up where. I'd like the place to look ok for the nice weather, and right now it looks like shit! I have a friend who is going to advise on seeding the front and possibly one area of the side yard, it's probably 75% dirt and some little viney looking plants right now, so hopefully we'll be able to do that ourselves. He said after a few years if we seed we should have a nice lawn. I have an old cement bird bath in the bed next to the patio that I want to make a flower planter, but it's shallow and broken, so unsure what I'll do with that yet. The other issue we have is holes... there are freaking chipmunks or moles in the yard. This is actually a topic being discussed on my town's facebook group right now, many people have them. I saw chipmunks going in them last year, but a lot of people say it's chipmunks and/or moles. Anyone have any good ways to try and cut them down? I feel bad killing little animals, but I seriously don't want holes all over my yard. Some of them are big enough you'd twist an ankle in them. Would love to be able to post pics of some of my plants as they come up, if there are any resident garden experts who could help me with identification! You will need to get rid of the source of why these animals are digging in the first place. There is no point in removing or killing the animals for eating what's in the ground. More will show up. Find out if you have a local Do It Yourself Lawn Care place and they will advise you on what they are eating and sell you the best products you will need to spread on your lawn to remove the food sources. Warning: The better you get your lawn and garden the more work you will have to do. Ask me how I know this.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 15:48:37 GMT -5
We have a nice greenhouse/landscaping company in town, maybe I'll call them to come out and see what they can tell me. Someone on the facebook group said for moles there's this product called sonic spikes? They go in the ground and emit a low-frequency pulse that repels the moles supposedly, and this woman said they worked great in her yard. (But I'm not convinced it's just moles, I've definitely seen chipmunks there!) Another recommendation was put a half stick of gum down the holes, apparently they can't digest it? I have no idea about any of these remedies lol.
Then my next stupid question is, if I think I've killed or repelled the moles (or whatever it is), I just fill the holes in and see if they're dug out again, right? I really just want the huge holes filled in, seriously someone will twist an ankle in them. And one is right next to the walkway.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 15:49:06 GMT -5
I try to maintain mine by myself other than application of chemicals but it ain't easy. Very large garden, lots of hand-weeding. But I just read that dandelions are good to keep around for the honeybees. Maybe I better stop weeding!
Side lawn slopes down to the lake and is badly eroded. The mindless solution would be to throw on topsoil and plant more grass but I suspect it would was away again and I need to get someone who can resolve the source of the problem, not just throw topsoil and grass seed on it.
Tried to start my lawn mower after an extended rainy period and found that it wouldn't start. Got it fixed (I hadn't had it serviced in years so I'm sure it was time) and in the meantime the guys who apply chemicals mowed the lawn. They will again while i'm traveling. I could get used to that if I didn't need so much money to spend on travel.
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on Apr 13, 2017 16:08:30 GMT -5
Athena, here are some suggestions to prevent soil erosion. www.doityourself.com/stry/prevent-erosion-in-your-yardWe terraced our front lawn when we lived in the NE because the rain water would pool in the lowest spot in the yard near the brick walkway. We planted Boxwoods and Hosta plants at the steepest part of the slope and used treated lumber to contain the soil.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 13, 2017 16:47:38 GMT -5
We have a nice greenhouse/landscaping company in town, maybe I'll call them to come out and see what they can tell me. Someone on the facebook group said for moles there's this product called sonic spikes? They go in the ground and emit a low-frequency pulse that repels the moles supposedly, and this woman said they worked great in her yard. (But I'm not convinced it's just moles, I've definitely seen chipmunks there!) Another recommendation was put a half stick of gum down the holes, apparently they can't digest it? I have no idea about any of these remedies lol. Then my next stupid question is, if I think I've killed or repelled the moles (or whatever it is), I just fill the holes in and see if they're dug out again, right? I really just want the huge holes filled in, seriously someone will twist an ankle in them. And one is right next to the walkway. It sounds like you have a lot of dirt in your yard so it should be easy to tamp the holes back down by foot or get a garden rake (different than a leaf rake) and drag it upside down (spikes up) on the holes and it will fill them better.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Apr 13, 2017 17:03:39 GMT -5
We had skunks or raccoons digging holes in our backyard, no tunnels or anything to indicate moles or voles. Poor guys just wanted some winter snacks! We have a ridiculous amount of deadnettle over almost the entire yard, so we hired a friend to take care of it for us. He sprayed on Tuesday and is coming back tomorrow to do something or other with seed, topsoil, and fertilizer. Since we don't know what we want to do with the space, and I don't want to bother with keeping up with flowers, that's about all were doing for the time! We already Rose of Sharon/hibiscus, a dogwood tree, a hydrangea bush, and some sort of Japanese maple because previous owners apparently wanted to cram everything into the lot. It's more than enough!
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 17:03:39 GMT -5
Right. I already need a garden rake to turn the soil before I loam and/or seed... gotta get some supplies here! I feel like I knew more about gardening/etc when I was a kid and planted flowers in the tiny little dirt area next to our patio, lol! I loved my flowers... when I was really little I used to take the seed catalogs my mom got, cut the pictures out and make collages of flowers I liked. she still has some of them, lol. Probably also need some kind of trimmers, we have bushes (flowering and non) and I'm sure they'll need to be kept neat. Oh, and my friend who helped w/ our sump pump issue is going to hook me up w/ a tree guy he knows, we need a branch on the Dogwood cut so it doesn't lay on the wires going to the street. My husband wanted the tree totally gone but I'd be sad and I don't think it's necessary to take the whole thing out. I think if we just get that branch removed and keep the tree pruned the right way it won't be a problem. The tree is a nice centerpiece to the front yard... it would literally just be a dirt pit in front of the house otherwise.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Apr 13, 2017 17:48:52 GMT -5
cael, I have an electric hedge trimmer that you can have. Let me dig it out tomorrow to make sure it's still working and then I can either meet you or drop it somewhere, if you'd like. I'm off this weekend. It just needs a little oil and a cord. I have no idea what happened to the one it came with, if it came with one. BIL gave it to us when we lived in Beverly. I ripped out all our bushes here so we don't need it anymore.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 13, 2017 17:57:41 GMT -5
cael-"Shed of Death". Spider infested? Or have you seen the clown peeking out of it from time to time.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Apr 13, 2017 19:25:27 GMT -5
I'm thinking it's where the plants go to die.
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Apr 13, 2017 20:39:33 GMT -5
I try to maintain mine by myself other than application of chemicals but it ain't easy. Very large garden, lots of hand-weeding. But I just read that dandelions are good to keep around for the honeybees. Maybe I better stop weeding! Side lawn slopes down to the lake and is badly eroded. The mindless solution would be to throw on topsoil and plant more grass but I suspect it would was away again and I need to get someone who can resolve the source of the problem, not just throw topsoil and grass seed on it.Tried to start my lawn mower after an extended rainy period and found that it wouldn't start. Got it fixed (I hadn't had it serviced in years so I'm sure it was time) and in the meantime the guys who apply chemicals mowed the lawn. They will again while i'm traveling. I could get used to that if I didn't need so much money to spend on travel. Depends on the actual layout, but I agree with Dee. Terrace it.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 20:53:39 GMT -5
Oh, the Shed of Death is what actually appears to be two sheds cobbled together, one side of which has a caving-in roof and weird, mish-mashed wall on one side... the other side seems OK, we may see if we can tear the sketch side down and leave the better half for now. It looks like such crap, haha. I don't have a pic or I'd post it, maybe I'll take some. There may be a clown in there, or maybe as someone said to me recently bodies of the neighbors someone didn't like. empress of self-improvement - thanks for the offer, I'd love to have it! I'll be down around Salem on Saturday (probably afternoon) so send me a PM if you want to maybe meet up then? I'm going to Jersey for the week on Sunday but we could always meet up anytime, it'd be nice to see you.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Apr 13, 2017 21:01:42 GMT -5
Let me make sure it works first then I'll PM you tomorrow. When and what area do you think you'll be in Salem? I'd be careful about the bodies thing. There was a big thing in your area a few months ago about some guy who apparently had some in his cellar or something. They dug it up after he died. Don't recall if they ever found anything besides a bunch of crap as he was apparently a hoarder. Better make sure he isn't in your shed.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 13, 2017 21:07:59 GMT -5
I share your frustration with moles -- we have some of those ankle-breaking holes too. The chipmunks in the yard don't bother me because their holes are small, but there's one that lives in my raised garden bed and eats all the strawberries literally the day they ripen. I didn't get a single one last year! We set a live trap but he is too smart for it so far (or the strawberry we used for bait was overripe ) Everything I've read says that getting rid of moles' food source (grubs) is the key to getting rid of them. I'm reluctant to use poison, carbon dioxide, etc. because that basically kills everything underground and I like the other wildlife. I've thought about the vibrating/noise stakes too, they seem humane enough. We bought some grub killer and a spreader last week but haven't put it down yet... hopefully this weekend. I'll report back in a month and let you know if it helps.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 21:08:13 GMT -5
Let me make sure it works first then I'll PM you tomorrow. When and what area do you think you'll be in Salem? I'd be careful about the bodies thing. There was a big thing in your area a few months ago about some guy who apparently had some in his cellar or something. They dug it up after he died. Don't recall if they ever found anything besides a bunch of crap as he was apparently a hoarder. Better make sure he isn't in your shed. Ha yes, that's right! They never found anything to my knowledge, I was kind of disappointed after the hype! I can be anywhere at any time in Salem so let me know what works best for you. It'll probably be like 2:30-3 or somewhere around there. PM me tomorrow and we can finalize, and thanks again for the offer!
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 13, 2017 21:13:06 GMT -5
I share your frustration with moles -- we have some of those ankle-breaking holes too. The chipmunks in the yard don't bother me because their holes are small and unobtrusive, but there's one that lives in my raised garden bed and eats all the strawberries literally the day they ripen. I didn't get a single one last year! We set a live trap but he is too smart for it so far (or the strawberry we used for bait was overripe ) Everything I've read says that getting rid of moles' food source (grubs) is the key to getting rid of them. I'm reluctant to use poison, carbon dioxide, etc. because that basically kills everything underground and I like the other wildlife. I've thought about the vibrating/noise stakes too, they seem humane enough. We bought some grub killer and a spreader last week but haven't put it down yet... hopefully this weekend. I'll report back in a month and let you know if it helps. I had no idea about using carbon dioxide for pest control until recently, but I guess it's illegal in some or most areas? (from what I was told some companies do it anyway - I think it has more to do with the application/registration of it or something red-tapey like that?) It sounds super effective actually, doesn't leave poisonous residue, they die quickly and aren't suffering long etc., but yeah, would kill everything else around it.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2017 22:22:19 GMT -5
Don't see a lawn/garden thread so figured I'd start one! We have a decent yard at our new place, nice sized front w/ a Dogwood tree and flowers, two little side areas (one with a patio) and a back, which is OK but at a slope and has the Shed of Death back there. My only goals for this year are to try to plant some grass, try to make the patio a decent place to sit, put some container flowers in a few areas to brighten it up, and just see what comes up where. I'd like the place to look ok for the nice weather, and right now it looks like shit! I have a friend who is going to advise on seeding the front and possibly one area of the side yard, it's probably 75% dirt and some little viney looking plants right now, so hopefully we'll be able to do that ourselves. He said after a few years if we seed we should have a nice lawn. I have an old cement bird bath in the bed next to the patio that I want to make a flower planter, but it's shallow and broken, so unsure what I'll do with that yet. The other issue we have is holes... there are freaking chipmunks or moles in the yard. This is actually a topic being discussed on my town's facebook group right now, many people have them. I saw chipmunks going in them last year, but a lot of people say it's chipmunks and/or moles. Anyone have any good ways to try and cut them down? I feel bad killing little animals, but I seriously don't want holes all over my yard. Some of them are big enough you'd twist an ankle in them. Would love to be able to post pics of some of my plants as they come up, if there are any resident garden experts who could help me with identification! There is a way to speed up getting a seeded lawn nice and thick. Overseed the lawn about every month or six weeks using a slit seeder. After being over seeded a couple of times, your seeded lawn will be as thick as a sod lawn.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Apr 14, 2017 12:23:47 GMT -5
Oh, the Shed of Death is what actually appears to be two sheds cobbled together, one side of which has a caving-in roof and weird, mish-mashed wall on one side... the other side seems OK, we may see if we can tear the sketch side down and leave the better half for now. It looks like such crap, haha. I don't have a pic or I'd post it, maybe I'll take some. There may be a clown in there, or maybe as someone said to me recently bodies of the neighbors someone didn't like. empress of self-improvement - thanks for the offer, I'd love to have it! I'll be down around Salem on Saturday (probably afternoon) so send me a PM if you want to maybe meet up then? I'm going to Jersey for the week on Sunday but we could always meet up anytime, it'd be nice to see you. You've got yourself a working hedge trimmer. I sent you a PM with info. Need a lawn mower? I've got an extra one of those sitting around too. Just needs a cleaning and tune up and fresh gas.😀
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 14, 2017 13:33:48 GMT -5
Moles/voles are usually after grubs. They leave tunnels just below the surface of the grass. DH spent a whole summer trying to kill the grubs with Grub Ex before resorting to chopping up bubble gum into tiny pieces and dropping bowlfulls repeatedly down the holes. The moles left--they simply went to my neighbor's yard. They'll be back...
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Apr 15, 2017 10:16:05 GMT -5
I share your frustration with moles -- we have some of those ankle-breaking holes too. The chipmunks in the yard don't bother me because their holes are small, but there's one that lives in my raised garden bed and eats all the strawberries literally the day they ripen. I didn't get a single one last year! We set a live trap but he is too smart for it so far (or the strawberry we used for bait was overripe ) Everything I've read says that getting rid of moles' food source (grubs) is the key to getting rid of them. I'm reluctant to use poison, carbon dioxide, etc. because that basically kills everything underground and I like the other wildlife. I've thought about the vibrating/noise stakes too, they seem humane enough. We bought some grub killer and a spreader last week but haven't put it down yet... hopefully this weekend. I'll report back in a month and let you know if it helps. Hmmm if you didn't live so far away I'd rent out my cat. She is an excellent rodent exterminator; moles, voles, woodrats and mice. We had a 5 rodent day last week. Now all you have to do is clean up the mess she leave on the door mat.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Apr 15, 2017 10:20:35 GMT -5
In a word....WEEDS!
We've had so much rain this year that every weed seed possible has germinated.
Almost every non rainy day we've had for the last month DH have been out for at least two hours weeding. And yet we're still pulling out knee high weeds.
I joked with my neighbor that I didn't feel so bad about them until we put in the landscaping two years ago. We could blow a lot of it off by saying "Oh we'll deal with that when we landscape". Now that we've spent big bucks on the yard we've got to take care of them or risking wasting our "investment".
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 15, 2017 10:23:07 GMT -5
If you want an animal that will rip up your lawn looking for grubs and worms, look no further than armadillos. At least moles and voles tunnel. Armadillos dig right into the lawn looking for food. They tear up everything.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Apr 15, 2017 12:57:51 GMT -5
Hmmm if you didn't live so far away I'd rent out my cat. She is an excellent rodent exterminator; moles, voles, woodrats and mice. We had a 5 rodent day last week. Now all you have to do is clean up the mess she leave on the door mat. I wish you lived near me because I really need a cat who will hunt. My Ella is an indoor cat who just sits in the window at looks at the birds, squirrels and other critters outside. That's when she's not sleeping on her windowperch, that is.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2017 14:35:26 GMT -5
Three turkeys in the yard this morning! I was happy to see them as it's been a couple years since they have been here. Hope they stick around. So goofy looking they make me laugh!
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 15, 2017 14:49:42 GMT -5
Hmmm if you didn't live so far away I'd rent out my cat. She is an excellent rodent exterminator; moles, voles, woodrats and mice. We had a 5 rodent day last week. Now all you have to do is clean up the mess she leave on the door mat. I wish you lived near me because I really need a cat who will hunt. My Ella is an indoor cat who just sits in the window at looks at the birds, squirrels and other critters outside. That's when she's not sleeping on her windowperch, that is. Sounds like our Gracie. I've watched her poke an ant with her paw and then turn tail and run as soon as it twitches. Can't even kill a moth. She talks a good game at the birds on the feeder, though. Our old Newfoundland was great for getting rid of moles (I never saw one for the first 3 years we lived here) but she apparently didn't like mice either. One day DH took my old car in for an oil change and found out the entire hollow area inside the hood was full of dog food where a mouse had been stealing it from the container in the garage and storing it in there. Every time you raised the hood it sounded like a bunch of ball bearings rolling down a chute
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Apr 15, 2017 15:59:17 GMT -5
We're infested with armadillos again this year. My only consolation is that it seems like a lot of people in the area have this problem as I've overhead complaints about it at Walmart and Home Depot. They have left my flowerbed and rose bed alone as well as stayed away from all our new trees and bushes, so I guess that's some consolation. All the oleanders we planted last fall got killed by an excessively hard frost in December. Fortunately, the nursery we bought them from refunded all the money and we purchased five more to replace the dead ones. I also purchased two rose bushes, a butterfly bush, and a bunch of lantanas. Now it's just a matter of DH planting everything with me overseering as I'm still having all kinds of back pain. Maybe the specialist will actually give me something when I see him on Tuesday so I can help DH a little bit with the planting. Once these plants are in the ground, that's all we have planned for this year's landscaping. If DH is up to it, he'll try to take down a couple more trees in the back 1/3 of the yard. If not, they'll wait until he's ready. Fortunately, we don't use that part of our yard at all right now, so we're not in much of a rush to get things done.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 15, 2017 16:30:58 GMT -5
We're infested with armadillos again this year. My only consolation is that it seems like a lot of people in the area have this problem as I've overhead complaints about it at Walmart and Home Depot. They have left my flowerbed and rose bed alone as well as stayed away from all our new trees and bushes, so I guess that's some consolation. All the oleanders we planted last fall got killed by an excessively hard frost in December. Fortunately, the nursery we bought them from refunded all the money and we purchased five more to replace the dead ones. I also purchased two rose bushes, a butterfly bush, and a bunch of lantanas. Now it's just a matter of DH planting everything with me overseering as I'm still having all kinds of back pain. Maybe the specialist will actually give me something when I see him on Tuesday so I can help DH a little bit with the planting. Once these plants are in the ground, that's all we have planned for this year's landscaping. If DH is up to it, he'll try to take down a couple more trees in the back 1/3 of the yard. If not, they'll wait until he's ready. Fortunately, we don't use that part of our yard at all right now, so we're not in much of a rush to get things done. What color lantanas do you buy? I usually buy the orange and red ones because they are most attractive to butterflies. I had one violet colored lantana that came back three years in a row. Lantanas here die after the first hard freeze. But this lantana was growing in such a place that had its own micro-climate (shielded from northern winter winds and faced south). The roots never died/froze. Eventually a really hard winter killed the roots. But for three years it came back. I also had an outdoor potted hibiscus that survived a winter here. It was in a container outdoors, facing south, and it was positioned about a foot away in front of a pet door into the garage. As the garage had a heater in it to keep the cats who lived in side warm, the warm air would come out of the cat door and keep the hibiscus from freezing.
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