VORACIOUS VOLES
Tips for repairing the damage
I laid new sod in my front yard last fall about a month before winter set in. Now that the snow is gone, I find that voles (cute but annoying little critters) have spent the winter frolicking through the yard. What can I do to speed up rehab of the lawn? Also, a refresher on what to do once the growing season begins would be helpful.
It seems to be a bad year for vole damage and I have already received a few questions about the issue. The good thing about such lawn damage is it’s more cosmetic than anything else. While the voles may have eaten down to the bottom of the grass blades, it is most likely they have not damaged the roots at all.
There is little you can do to speed up rehabilitation other than applying a good spring and summer fertilizer and watering the lawn well. As for tips, with new sod, don’t power rake or aerate at all this season — you could damage the sod by doing so. Try to avoid walking on the sod — it can leave deep footprints — after the snow has gone. Let the sod dry completely before you start walking across it.
Once the sod has dried to the point that you can walk on it, give it a haircut. Set your mower a little lower than normal (a halfinch will do) and cut and collect the clippings, then fertilize your lawn as per normal.
I like to use Scott’s Turf Builder because of the slow-release properties and the fact that it will not burn the lawn. I think you will find that the ‘vole highways’ will disappear in very short order.
I just read your sweet pea article and I have been growing incredible seven-foot-tall sweet peas for about 20 years. We have a raised deck, and I plant them in a flower bed at grass level. They are in a south-facing backyard and they thrive in this spot. However, last year I found that the sweet peas were covered in aphids. Normally I cut the flowers for beautiful bouquets, but last year it was very difficult to get rid of the aphids and I didn’t want to bring the flowers (or aphids) inside the house. Can you tell me what I can do to prevent the aphid infestation this year and why it happened? Thank you for your help and your informative articles.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you why your aphid infestation occurred. Sometimes they just find the right conditions and move in; they’re a common pest on sweet peas.
As for prevention, there’s little you can do to keep aphids from moving in, but you can be vigilant after they arrive.
Check your plants daily for signs of the invaders. At the first sign of aphids arriving, dose them with insecticidal soap. If you only notice a few aphids, just squish them as you find them or knock them off with a sharp stream of water.
If aphids arrive en masse you could consider using a natural insecticide that contains pyrethrins, such as Doktor Doom Go Green Botanics.
I’ve started some vegetable seeds in covered trays and they have sprouted. Should I keep the dome on them or remove it? I’m currently growing tomato and okra.
Heat can build up very quickly in an enclosed container that is exposed to the sun.
If you have the sprouts in full sun, it is best to open the dome to allow it to cool inside — you can simply prop it open with a stick.
Once you are certain no further seeds are going to sprout you should remove the cover.