Retreating is not Defeat

Thanks for all the advice and strategies on defeating the voles. But I think my plan to leave the battlefield makes the most sense. I have moved all the tasty plants to my front garden which is imported soil above a base of solid clay, surrounded by rocks and cement. The voles loved the shade garden because it was very lightweight decomposed mulch which made it very easy to burrow through. The areas on the edge of that garden which are just clay were undisturbed because it is more difficult to dig into that hard stuff.

I particularly had to smile at the suggestions to dig deep and insert wire cages to plant my hosta. I have about 75 hosta. Imagine that many cages.

I had very good luck with this raised bed and expect the same from the front beds which are also raised above ground level.

 

 

 

 

 

  

This is a composite picture of the front garden before the plants were installed, surrounded by rock, stone, logs and concrete blocks. It sits directly on packed clay and is just not as accessible to Mr.Vole as the tilth in the shade garden. (tilth: The physical condition of soil relative to the ease of plant growth. The "fluffiness" of the soil, so roots grow easily.)

While my confidence is high, I am not for a moment certain that this will definitely work. With gardening one must be hopeful and tenacious.

On another note: My clever sister Brooke has made these adorable birds. See more on her blog.