Re: Mole Control with Castor Beans

Linda Ridlon wrote:

:  Where does one buy castor bean seed? 

I don't know.  They're an old-fashioned plant passed from friend to friend.

:   Will they grow here in Southern Maine (zone 5)? 

If you can grow corn and green beans, I should think so.

:   How tall do they get?  

Over head-high.

:  Do you interplant your flower beds with them or use in a 
:  crop rotation somehow?

I've seen them used as a background in flower beds.  We planted a row of them
between the fence and the flower beds to act as a barrier to keep the varmints
out.  These are very big plants.  I would not recommend planting them within 3
or 4 feet of any iris.

There is one obvious drawback -- the substance that is poisonous to moles &
gophers is also poisonous to children & pets.  It's most concentrated in the
roots, but there's enough in the seeds to pose some danger to the unwary.  If
you're a city-dweller, I would advise against planting them in an unfenced yard
where they might be accessible to neighborhood children.    If your children are
of the age to be exploring the world by mouth, you probably don't want these
plants around -- but you probably don't have much time for gardening either!

Sharon McAllister (72273.1745@compuserve.com)
Who learned the meaning of "NO!" at a very eary age:
No -- you don't climb into the pigpenl!
No -- you don't ride the cattle!
No -- you don't climb the windmill tower!
No -- you don't lean over the side of the bridge!
No -- you don't ride a bicycle on Hwy 66!
No -- you don't eat toadstools, or castor beans, or ANYTHING ELSE without
permission!


Sharon McAllister (73372.1745@compuserve.com)
(Grower of castor beans in both Southern New Mexico & Central Okalhoma)
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