I've always had meadow voles serious enough that I can't over winter things in the garden. Now that the chipmunks have moved in they've covered the summer, so it's now an all season battle against rodents. Moles are here, also, but in small numbers most years. Any bale left around becomes a winter vole house. Every time I lift a round bale out of the field in the winter with the tractor, there will be evidence of voles or voles themselves under/inside of the bale. Small square bales stored in the barn are targets as well some years and you wouldn't believe the mess that can be! This year, because it's been such an open winter so far, there are lower vole numbers here. It never fails to amaze me the amount of animals and critters of all kinds that are after a garden! I have to deal with the occasional cow jail break, as well. Chasing cows through a garden really exposes your vocabulary. :)
I’m in zone 3 Saskatchewan, Canada. I assure you voles are active in the winter here. They seem most active in years with heavier snow cover. I see them scurry out from under snow banks on sunny days to feast on seeds dropped from flower heads and bird feeders. They make trails in the grass where they’ve worn paths moving under the snow. I do think the warmer areas under the domes are likely like the insulation under a large snow pile.
I think that's the distinction right there - we don't get a snow pile here - the snow melts, then the ground freezes, then it snows, and melts, and freezes again. Under the dome it stays thawed.
Yup they love my greenhouse. I got 2 of them so far. This is the first year that I saw little mounds of freshly dig dirt all around my garden. There have been at least 15 of them. Obviously I am giving them a good environment to multiply.
I do the same thing, only more to reduce insects than rodents; we have three cats on the property so the rodents are less eager to move in. I put the "domes" (in my case old antique wooden windows) out in the Spring to heat things up faster, but I leave everything uncovered through January and February to let that minus 40 weather work it's magic. Bear in mind, the year before last was a mast year; that's part of the problem, and alot of people on the East coast have been noticing more rodents, including me, but I am sure the deep freeze will make your garden less attractive.
A little off topic but... Your vlogs/podcasts always get me in the zone, really mentally dialed in, thinking deeply about gardening and solutions and dreams and plans. They are my go-to, to fill the brain space during mundane tasks. Just listening this morning, really concentrating on the topic because i too had some activity last year in my gardens and my septic field (ya, not a good place to have critters) Today's task, while getting water for livestock. I look up from my task, only to get spooked by a tiny stuffed mouse my little one left out for me. Lol 🐀🐀🐀 I'll admit, I screamed out loud a bit and almost dropped my bucket. 😆 🌊 A vlog about moles and voles, then being eye to eye with a tiny beady-eyed critter.👀🐭🐭🐭🤯 Just had to laugh.
I covered three beds with poorly-sealed polytunnels last winter. I have worried about but have not noticed anything inhabiting the sheltered beds - perhaps I must set traps to test this more rigorously! But this summer I definitely saw (and had a few neighbors remark similarly) a *huge* increase in chipmunks in the yard. I also seemed to hear more mice (I think?) chirping from the periwinkle. Rather than the warmth and shelter of the polytunnels, I think stolen crops and general urban hygiene are to blame. My neighbors have nightly cookouts through the summer, creating perhaps a delicious steady rain of fragrant crumbs to attract and nourish vertebrate pests. Once in the vicinity, it's just ten feet farther to discover my tomatoes, strawberries, beets, squashes, etc. Last but not least, this past spring I stupidly neglected a huge bucket of sunchokes outside, which was 'mysteriously' empty when I rediscovered it. I won't repeat that mistake.
For me too this was the year of the chipmunk. I killed at least 6 of them this summer- they were everywhere! Great comment sir - well written and a pleasure to read :)
With my straw bale garden, I get rodents, moles and voles, living under my straw bales. Two years ago, I grew sweet potatoes in my straw bales. The rodents ate my sweet potatoes like candy. Over half my crop was chewed up. So, I decided to create a raised bed that would keep out the rodents. See Aldo Pepper SIP self watering sub irrigated raised beds. These raised beds have a bottom which protects the sweet potatoes. This year I saw evidence of rodents, and I had no rodent damage on my sweet potatoes. If I use a cold frame, I will put the cold frame on one of these SIP raised beds. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Sounds like it works - but again - for me - I only had a problem with the beds that were covered all winter. The frozen beds do not harbor moles & voles in any meaningful way
I reduced the amount of mulch I put on my beds this year for the same reason you kept your domes off. I was noticing a big increase in rodent damage last winter (eating my parsnips) so I thought I'd make it a little less hospitable for them. I only put down about 2"-3" of mulch (hay, leaves, etc...) instead of the 6"-8" I normally did. I still put about 6" of chopped leaves on my garlic because I thought that wouldn't be enough to attract mice because I normally put 12" of hay over my garlic. Then, later in the winter, after we got several inches of snow over the leaves, I laid some hay mulch on top of the snow over the chopped leaves because that wouldn't be any good for mice. Now it's snowed over again and in the spring my garlic will be well mulched and ready to grow. I enjoy your videos about fine-tuning and adjusting your methods as you learn more about things you didn't realize when you originally tried them.
Just wanted to share... I'm in Michigan, one zone colder than you, Greg. Ground frozen (off and on), snow on the ground, etc. I still have carrots that I left in the garden as an experiment. I covered the roots (not the greenery) and entire garden with about 6" of chopped leaves back in Oct/Nov. Anywho, I went out yesterday and harvested a handful of carrots! Just pushed the mulch aside and pulled up. It was so cool to be able to harvest something in the dead of winter! On a side note, my carrots have not sweetened up in the cold like I've heard would happen. I can't remember what variety they are, but they have never tasted as good as the ones at the store.
The leaves will keep it unfrozen untill it gets really cold. Once you get into the double digits all day and all night - that 6" will not be enough insulation, - especially at below -20c
Thanks Greg! I just went back and watched your video on making these hoop houses and I think I'm going to give one or two a try and see how it works out for me. I'm using PVC hoops for a couple beds that I have plastic over now but your hoop dooms are mobile which I like the idea of. Probably worth the effort of making a couple. I start some plants early in my basement under grow lights but this will give me the option of starting outdoors. I always have a problem with some plants not doing well under the grow lights too so that's another reason to give it a try.
I think I'll do a new "making hoop houses" video this winter sometime. If you've watched the old videos - only change I'd make is to recommend a minimum 2"x3" construction - and possibly a ridgepole to stiffen it up. The heavier you make them - the less likely they are to blow away - but the harder they are to move around. PVC would be great, but more expensive and light as a feather. Without being tied down they would literally blow away here :)
@@maritimegardening4887 ok I'll see what wood they have at Lowes these days. I'll have to buy some re-mesh or fencing also - don't have anything laying around that would be the right size for me. I didn't actually use the PVC to make a portable hoop house - I just bend it into my boxes and anchor them in place with brackets. The advantage of that is you can easily switch from plastic to netting or insect screening depending on your needs at that time.
Voles had chewed up about 2/3 of my 6x6 ft carrot stand, which was nestled under about 6 inches of leaves, before I discovered it about 3 weeks ago. I’ve decided to did down some hardware cloth around a 100 ft section of my garden this year to keep voles, moles and rabbits out. Chipmunks and rats could still get over so there is some electric fencing to put above that. And oh yes there’s already a cheap 8ft, deer fence up. I’m creating Fort Knox! All the critters know about my place, seemingly an oasis in the desert, and they tell all their friends and relations. Sigh 😟.
The e hardware cloth does not appeal to me - but I can see how it could work with the right setup. As I said - it's only the beds that have domes on them all winter that seem to harbor the rodents. If I do it with different ones each year - the problem should not come back I think
Ah yes the dang Voles!!! I find the best population reduction strategy is mouse traps!!!! They reeked havoc in my potatoes and carrots this year....so I am going to launch an all out trapping program this Spring before they get too established! Thanks for the video Greg...nice to sit here and drink my coffee while watching. Have a great day! Mike😄👍
Good thoughts. I still have space for two more beds. I wonder if putting down 1/4 inch hardware cloth first, then filling the beds, would help keep out tunneling critters? I think I'll experiment...
Not much use to me on the scale I'm gardening here (would have to do it to 50 beds) - but sure - as long as you can keep it totally sealed off that could work to prevent them tunneling in.
I also had what assume was a mole or vole problem in my greenhouse . They decimated my beet transplants in a couple days in the late fall. I dug out the beds to a foot or so and lined them with hardware cloth before replacing the soil and additional compost. Will see if to his works in a month or so when I plant some cold weather crops.
With two set ups having a plastic cover I noticed last week that the soil was still not frozen...one of them I have bales of straw stored inside which I dare say could have lots of tunnels underneath by the time I go to move it in May. Interesting!!
I kept the tunnels on four of my raised beds. Two of them, like yourself have some carrots and a parsnip lol. My first winter with these tunnels. Thanks to your tips. I've only seen mice in mild weather but my dogs and the neighbour's cat(nicknamed "Terminator") take care of those. You should get yourself a Miniature pinscher or outside cat. My youtube channel is sparetimeincanada if you want to see what I'm up to. I'll try to post today. Thanks Greg. All the best! Ps. Looks like we have more snow than you neighbour :)
Good day Greg. Nice way to wake up in the morning, meditate and watch your videos can't beat it. Since my soil doesn't freeze, what could I plant in January zone 7 b, just wondering.
No - I absolutely do not shovel my garden!!!! :) it had melted - but the snow stays on the north side of the bed because it doesn't get enough sun to melt the snow.
Hope you have fewer issues this year man. Like you said you're basically providing a prime hotel for these critters to hang out all winter long. Take away the free home / food, and they should just move on themselves.
I've always had meadow voles serious enough that I can't over winter things in the garden. Now that the chipmunks have moved in they've covered the summer, so it's now an all season battle against rodents. Moles are here, also, but in small numbers most years. Any bale left around becomes a winter vole house. Every time I lift a round bale out of the field in the winter with the tractor, there will be evidence of voles or voles themselves under/inside of the bale. Small square bales stored in the barn are targets as well some years and you wouldn't believe the mess that can be! This year, because it's been such an open winter so far, there are lower vole numbers here.
It never fails to amaze me the amount of animals and critters of all kinds that are after a garden! I have to deal with the occasional cow jail break, as well. Chasing cows through a garden really exposes your vocabulary. :)
Too bad about that vole problem! Mine have always been a minor annoyance thankfully. I imagine a farm environment is simply ideal for them
I plant green onions around my gardens. Spaced about 12" apart. No more moles, voles, deer, or rabbit bothering things.
I’m in zone 3 Saskatchewan, Canada. I assure you voles are active in the winter here. They seem most active in years with heavier snow cover. I see them scurry out from under snow banks on sunny days to feast on seeds dropped from flower heads and bird feeders. They make trails in the grass where they’ve worn paths moving under the snow. I do think the warmer areas under the domes are likely like the insulation under a large snow pile.
I think that's the distinction right there - we don't get a snow pile here - the snow melts, then the ground freezes, then it snows, and melts, and freezes again. Under the dome it stays thawed.
Yup they love my greenhouse. I got 2 of them so far. This is the first year that I saw little mounds of freshly dig dirt all around my garden. There have been at least 15 of them. Obviously I am giving them a good environment to multiply.
What is your preferred bait? I use peanut butter
I do the same thing, only more to reduce insects than rodents; we have three cats on the property so the rodents are less eager to move in. I put the "domes" (in my case old antique wooden windows) out in the Spring to heat things up faster, but I leave everything uncovered through January and February to let that minus 40 weather work it's magic. Bear in mind, the year before last was a mast year; that's part of the problem, and alot of people on the East coast have been noticing more rodents, including me, but I am sure the deep freeze will make your garden less attractive.
That's the plan anyway :)
A little off topic but...
Your vlogs/podcasts always get me in the zone, really mentally dialed in, thinking deeply about gardening and solutions and dreams and plans. They are my go-to, to fill the brain space during mundane tasks.
Just listening this morning, really concentrating on the topic because i too had some activity last year in my gardens and my septic field (ya, not a good place to have critters)
Today's task, while getting water for livestock.
I look up from my task, only to get spooked by a tiny stuffed mouse my little one left out for me. Lol 🐀🐀🐀
I'll admit, I screamed out loud a bit and almost dropped my bucket. 😆 🌊
A vlog about moles and voles, then being eye to eye with a tiny beady-eyed critter.👀🐭🐭🐭🤯
Just had to laugh.
Thanks Rachael that's very nice of you to say :)
I covered three beds with poorly-sealed polytunnels last winter. I have worried about but have not noticed anything inhabiting the sheltered beds - perhaps I must set traps to test this more rigorously! But this summer I definitely saw (and had a few neighbors remark similarly) a *huge* increase in chipmunks in the yard. I also seemed to hear more mice (I think?) chirping from the periwinkle. Rather than the warmth and shelter of the polytunnels, I think stolen crops and general urban hygiene are to blame. My neighbors have nightly cookouts through the summer, creating perhaps a delicious steady rain of fragrant crumbs to attract and nourish vertebrate pests. Once in the vicinity, it's just ten feet farther to discover my tomatoes, strawberries, beets, squashes, etc. Last but not least, this past spring I stupidly neglected a huge bucket of sunchokes outside, which was 'mysteriously' empty when I rediscovered it. I won't repeat that mistake.
For me too this was the year of the chipmunk. I killed at least 6 of them this summer- they were everywhere! Great comment sir - well written and a pleasure to read :)
With my straw bale garden, I get rodents, moles and voles, living under my straw bales. Two years ago, I grew sweet potatoes in my straw bales. The rodents ate my sweet potatoes like candy. Over half my crop was chewed up. So, I decided to create a raised bed that would keep out the rodents. See Aldo Pepper SIP self watering sub irrigated raised beds. These raised beds have a bottom which protects the sweet potatoes. This year I saw evidence of rodents, and I had no rodent damage on my sweet potatoes. If I use a cold frame, I will put the cold frame on one of these SIP raised beds. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Sounds like it works - but again - for me - I only had a problem with the beds that were covered all winter. The frozen beds do not harbor moles & voles in any meaningful way
I reduced the amount of mulch I put on my beds this year for the same reason you kept your domes off. I was noticing a big increase in rodent damage last winter (eating my parsnips) so I thought I'd make it a little less hospitable for them. I only put down about 2"-3" of mulch (hay, leaves, etc...) instead of the 6"-8" I normally did. I still put about 6" of chopped leaves on my garlic because I thought that wouldn't be enough to attract mice because I normally put 12" of hay over my garlic. Then, later in the winter, after we got several inches of snow over the leaves, I laid some hay mulch on top of the snow over the chopped leaves because that wouldn't be any good for mice. Now it's snowed over again and in the spring my garlic will be well mulched and ready to grow.
I enjoy your videos about fine-tuning and adjusting your methods as you learn more about things you didn't realize when you originally tried them.
I use 2-3" for everything but potatoes
Very beautiful garden preparation , nice to use plastic to cover the raise bed to protect plant damage from snow , thanks for sharing a good idea
Thanks a lot
Just wanted to share... I'm in Michigan, one zone colder than you, Greg. Ground frozen (off and on), snow on the ground, etc. I still have carrots that I left in the garden as an experiment. I covered the roots (not the greenery) and entire garden with about 6" of chopped leaves back in Oct/Nov. Anywho, I went out yesterday and harvested a handful of carrots! Just pushed the mulch aside and pulled up. It was so cool to be able to harvest something in the dead of winter! On a side note, my carrots have not sweetened up in the cold like I've heard would happen. I can't remember what variety they are, but they have never tasted as good as the ones at the store.
The leaves will keep it unfrozen untill it gets really cold. Once you get into the double digits all day and all night - that 6" will not be enough insulation, - especially at below -20c
Thanks Greg! I just went back and watched your video on making these hoop houses and I think I'm going to give one or two a try and see how it works out for me. I'm using PVC hoops for a couple beds that I have plastic over now but your hoop dooms are mobile which I like the idea of. Probably worth the effort of making a couple. I start some plants early in my basement under grow lights but this will give me the option of starting outdoors. I always have a problem with some plants not doing well under the grow lights too so that's another reason to give it a try.
I think I'll do a new "making hoop houses" video this winter sometime. If you've watched the old videos - only change I'd make is to recommend a minimum 2"x3" construction - and possibly a ridgepole to stiffen it up. The heavier you make them - the less likely they are to blow away - but the harder they are to move around. PVC would be great, but more expensive and light as a feather. Without being tied down they would literally blow away here :)
@@maritimegardening4887 ok I'll see what wood they have at Lowes these days. I'll have to buy some re-mesh or fencing also - don't have anything laying around that would be the right size for me. I didn't actually use the PVC to make a portable hoop house - I just bend it into my boxes and anchor them in place with brackets. The advantage of that is you can easily switch from plastic to netting or insect screening depending on your needs at that time.
Hello Greg, good to know. 😉
Voles had chewed up about 2/3 of my 6x6 ft carrot stand, which was nestled under about 6 inches of leaves, before I discovered it about 3 weeks ago. I’ve decided to did down some hardware cloth around a 100 ft section of my garden this year to keep voles, moles and rabbits out. Chipmunks and rats could still get over so there is some electric fencing to put above that. And oh yes there’s already a cheap 8ft, deer fence up. I’m creating Fort Knox! All the critters know about my place, seemingly an oasis in the desert, and they tell all their friends and relations. Sigh 😟.
The e hardware cloth does not appeal to me - but I can see how it could work with the right setup. As I said - it's only the beds that have domes on them all winter that seem to harbor the rodents. If I do it with different ones each year - the problem should not come back I think
Ah yes the dang Voles!!! I find the best population reduction strategy is mouse traps!!!!
They reeked havoc in my potatoes and carrots this year....so I am going to launch an all out trapping program this Spring before they get too established!
Thanks for the video Greg...nice to sit here and drink my coffee while watching.
Have a great day!
Mike😄👍
I agree - I took out 12 moles and 6 voles this year with mouse traps baited with peanut butter
Good thoughts. I still have space for two more beds. I wonder if putting down 1/4 inch hardware cloth first, then filling the beds, would help keep out tunneling critters? I think I'll experiment...
Not much use to me on the scale I'm gardening here (would have to do it to 50 beds) - but sure - as long as you can keep it totally sealed off that could work to prevent them tunneling in.
I also had what assume was a mole or vole problem in my greenhouse . They decimated my beet transplants in a couple days in the late fall. I dug out the beds to a foot or so and lined them with hardware cloth before replacing the soil and additional compost. Will see if to his works in a month or so when I plant some cold weather crops.
With two set ups having a plastic cover I noticed last week that the soil was still not frozen...one of them I have bales of straw stored inside which I dare say could have lots of tunnels underneath by the time I go to move it in May. Interesting!!
If they find that hay they will love it
Good morning, early bird!
I've been up for two hours already!!! :)
I kept the tunnels on four of my raised beds. Two of them, like yourself have some carrots and a parsnip lol. My first winter with these tunnels. Thanks to your tips. I've only seen mice in mild weather but my dogs and the neighbour's cat(nicknamed "Terminator") take care of those. You should get yourself a Miniature pinscher or outside cat. My youtube channel is sparetimeincanada if you want to see what I'm up to. I'll try to post today. Thanks Greg. All the best! Ps. Looks like we have more snow than you neighbour :)
A cat and dog are a good solution. Outdoor pets tend to get killed here by the wild animals unfortunately. I'l check out your channel thanks
Good day Greg. Nice way to wake up in the morning, meditate and watch your videos can't beat it. Since my soil doesn't freeze, what could I plant in January zone 7 b, just wondering.
Hey Dwayne - can't speak from experience - but in principle - any tough green I imagine (kale/lettuce/spinach).
I noticed the snow accumulated at the end of your beds. Do you remove it from your growing areas?
No - I absolutely do not shovel my garden!!!! :) it had melted - but the snow stays on the north side of the bed because it doesn't get enough sun to melt the snow.
Hope you have fewer issues this year man. Like you said you're basically providing a prime hotel for these critters to hang out all winter long. Take away the free home / food, and they should just move on themselves.
I hope so :)