Gardeners’ Forum: “groundhogs and voles”
Back to Gardeners’ Forumgroundhogs and voles
Posted by Bob McCausland on Saturday, July 7, 2012 10:38 AM ADTthis spring I planted peas and broad beand in a raised bed, 20ft X 10ft, when the plants were about 3 ft tall a groundhog appeared in the middle of the bed and with his burrowing he raised the bean plants higher but undamaged. He ate everything in sight except this crop. Next I found what i am told are voles. They ate all my peas as the pods filled, little teeth marks shred the pod. They distroyed the crop over night. Is there any hpoe of ridding myself of these invaders.
re: groundhogs and voles
Posted by jodaone on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 2:58 PM ADTHi bob! According to the book "Easy does it" - !! have not tried it yet, !! one should sprinkle a line of Epsom salt sparingly around the edge of the garden. It also acts as a fertilizer. As far as critters eating stuff, try a very hot pepper-sauce sprayed on the plants, which works on rodents trying to eat transplants. Obviously both would have to be re-applied after every strong rain. No idea if your peas will be edible, maybe just spray the low hanging stuff and grow telephone pole peas, which go to 6'. Had a problem with groundhogs eating tips of pea-plants the year last. Solved it by keeping them out with plastic roof-sheets as a border. I watched them circle the garden. Good luck!
