Varmint's
Hi Guys,
Since we all share basically the same climate and plants, I assume we
share the same soils. I live in very sandy soil here in south Texas.
My biggest problem comes from below ground rather than insects and
disease. (Although the squirrels tear up a lot of stuff too) I am
plagued with gophers and moles which destroy so many plants I could
cry. The moles let air to the roots and in our miserable heat, they dry
out and wilt, often die.
The gophers eat the roots of many plants but mostly seem to just destroy
them on their way to somewhere else. I have even had Texas natives and
naturalized plants like Lantana and Crepe Myrtle's ruined by these
critters.
I can't grow Buddelia's to save my life, the gophers are drawn to them
like a magnet, eating all the roots. I have now taken to making wire
baskets and burying them in the hole before planting anything. This is
time consuming and expensive.
Is anyone else plagued with gophers or moles? Do you have a remedy to
get rid of them?
If you have seen the movie Screamers, then you will know how I feel. I
plant something and before the last shovel full of dirt is dropped, the
ground seems to come alive with varmints screaming toward my plants!!
<G>
Thanks a bunch,
Linda (Who identify's with Bill Murry in Caddy Shack)
