Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2005
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
November/December 2005
Marty Johnson President, Johnson's Garden Centers & 
       Kansas Certified Nursery Professional

Got Moles?
    Moles, voles, gophers ... something is messing up my landscape and I
do not like it one bit. All I know is that whatever is doing the damage
is having fun at the Johnson's landscape. Let's take a look at those
burrowing animals and try to identify:

    #1 -- what is doing the damage  
    #2 -- how to control them

Moles
    These small, 3-6 oz. animals crisscross your yard a couple of inches
deep. As they burrow through the soil, chewing through roots and
damaging the turf or plants, they are in search of insects to eat. They
normally consume their weight in grubs or other insects every day. As a
general rule, if you have moles, you also have grubs eating the roots.
Eliminating the grubs in your yard will help in getting rid of moles,
but they also eat earthworms and other insects. As a general rule, moles
do not eat roots, tubers or bulbs, but survive on insects.

Gophers
    These tough-to-control animals do considerable damage to the
landscape. They are strictly vegetarians and most of their tunnels are
12-18" below the surface. These animals feed on roots, bulbs, and other
plant parts in the landscape. They also will eat tree bark. Their
favorite is the bark of fruit trees. The gopher's tunnel is deeper than
that of a mole, but less extensive. The entrance to a gopher burrow is
at an angle at ground level with a mound of soil. Gophers can make up to
15 mounds of soil per day in sandy soil.

Voles
    Also known as "mice," voles can do extensive damage as they move
into our turf and gardens in search of food. These animals are active
all year. They will not invade the home and are not to be confused with
the house mouse. Voles eat a variety of plants. They construct tunnels
and surface runways looking for roots, grasses, tubers and bulbs, as
well as snails and insects.

Burrowing Animal Controls
    Control of these animals includes trapping with a specific trap for
each type of pest. We also offer a couple of unique, safe and effective
controls by Bonide that will work on all of the above pests.

    Moletox Baited-gel is a newly developed bait and delivery system
that finally provides guaranteed mole control. The bait mimics natural
food in taste, smell and texture. The syringe injector system delivers
pre-measured doses directly into tunnels. One syringe treats an entire
burrow system and covers up to 10,000 sq. ft.

    Molemax Mole and Vole Repellent repels moles, voles, gophers,
rabbits, armadillos and skunks in lawns, flower beds and gardens. Its
clean, dustless, biodegradable granules are safe for use around children,
plants and pets. One pound treats 500 sq. ft. and lasts up to three months.
This easy-to-apply product has the widest label of any product we offer.

Got Holey Soles?
    My newest favorite shoe is my new pair of orange, yes ORANGE, clogs
from Holey Soles. Check them out at http://www.holeysoles.us/ 
These molded foam shoes are great in both the summer and winter. They are
anti-bacterial which helps eliminate foot odor. Maybe that is why Nancy got
me a pair. Hmmm.... Anyway, they are easy to clean, give great sole support 
and come in all sizes and many colors. For less than $30, you can't go
wrong. Anti-bacterial ... I am going to ask her about that.

Dutch Bulbs
    If you put off planting your spring-flowering bulbs, it is not too
late. Who hasn't taken a bag of bulbs home, left them in the garage
(which actually helps cool the bulbs) and forgotten about them? Get them
in the ground any time this month, water in very well and you will be
set for a show of spring color. We still have a good supply of all types
of spring-flowering bulbs, so stop by to see what is new in bulbs.

    Until next spring, stay warm, feed the birds and have a great winter.