First, the bad news. In the garden near the woods 210 onion plants were carefully placed in the ground. Yesterday we discovered that most of them had been pulled from the ground and eaten. Onion eaters are not common but written reports of meadow voles' appetite for them were found. Spring traps and sticky traps have been set but nothing yet.
Several years ago we purchased Toothwort plants in response to the words written by John Burroughs. His description of these flower's scent made them a must have plant. After years of scant growth and no flowers, finally we have something to smell. Nose to the ground was required but the trip was well worth the effort. Their fragrance was wonderful and several deep breaths were taken. Many small plants now fill the place where we planted one and some will be moved to the new garden down by the road.
This variety of Toothwort is slightly smaller that distinction possibly influenced by the remembered names of Greater and Lesser. Here again, new plants are numerous and they too will be moved down the hill.
Yellow violets underwent rescue and a move to proper ground. We have discovered that the ground beneath trees cannot be penetrated without damage to the trees, This area sported cover from bags of leaves for two years. Quack grass roots were gently removed and man made woods dirt was brought in. The violets were planted in that finely screened soil. Mower chopped fallen leaves were applied to a depth that might limit weed growth. A more natural forest soil will be produced by the rotting leaves. We now need to find a way to limit the return of the neighbor's pasture grass.
No comments:
Post a Comment