Here's the scenario: I planted some blackberries on the edge of my yard
years ago that have NEVER been bothered by voles. So, when I planted 5
'Arapaho' thornless blackberries last year (late summer, early fall) in
a spiffy new raised bed, I did not line it with hardware cloth--the only
one, BTW. Grrrrrr. I just found one plant neatly chewed off just under
the surface. Grrrrrr again.
Here's the question: Do I have to completely dig out that bed--4 feet
wide by 20 feet long by 16 inches deep and line it or can I dig up the
plants--still fairly small--and make individual cages in which to plant
them? If so, how large should each cage be so as to not restrict
essential root growth?
Thanks for any help,
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b, who's hoping she doesn't
have to dig out that entire bed!
Gee, just get a cat! (Only kidding, I don't believe in outdoor cats...). I
really wonder if you are ever going to be happy with those in a raised bed,
anyway. They will grow out from under it if they prosper. And the way
blackberries spread, I suspect that the individual cages would only protect
them for this year. Sorry, but I thing you should rethink the whole thing!
Debbie in Williamsburg, VA, where the termite contractor is pouring all that
nasty stuff into my soil. SIGH!
-----Original Message-----
From: Gardens & Gardening [mailto:GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU] On Behalf Of
Barbara Anders
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 9:14 AM
To: GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Question re: blackberry vines
Here's the scenario: I planted some blackberries on the edge of my yard
years ago that have NEVER been bothered by voles. So, when I planted 5
'Arapaho' thornless blackberries last year (late summer, early fall) in
a spiffy new raised bed, I did not line it with hardware cloth--the only
one, BTW. Grrrrrr. I just found one plant neatly chewed off just under
the surface. Grrrrrr again.
Here's the question: Do I have to completely dig out that bed--4 feet
wide by 20 feet long by 16 inches deep and line it or can I dig up the
plants--still fairly small--and make individual cages in which to plant
them? If so, how large should each cage be so as to not restrict
essential root growth?
Thanks for any help,
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b, who's hoping she doesn't
have to dig out that entire bed!
I'm feeding several strays (if the raccoon doesn't eat the cat food
first) and they don't seem to have made the slightest dent in the vole
population :( This variety is *supposed* to grow more in a clump and
upright than other varieties. My space is limited and that's why I chose
them (could have just been a good marketing ploy--I'll find out, LOL). I
*am* rethinking the whole thing--rethinking how I can make this work ;-)
Thanks,
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b
Deborah Green wrote:
Actually, I have some of that variety and they haven't done well at all (I
attribute that to them getting more heavily shaded than the "Heritage"
raspberries and the wild blackberries). SO, I hope you can make it work!
Debbie
-----Original Message-----
From: Gardens & Gardening [mailto:GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU] On Behalf Of
Barbara Anders
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 9:37 AM
To: GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: Question re: blackberry vines
I'm feeding several strays (if the raccoon doesn't eat the cat food
first) and they don't seem to have made the slightest dent in the vole
population :( This variety is *supposed* to grow more in a clump and
upright than other varieties. My space is limited and that's why I chose
them (could have just been a good marketing ploy--I'll find out, LOL). I
*am* rethinking the whole thing--rethinking how I can make this work ;-)
Thanks,
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b
Deborah Green wrote:
> Gee, just get a cat! (Only kidding, I don't believe in outdoor cats...).
I
> really wonder if you are ever going to be happy with those in a raised
bed,
> anyway. They will grow out from under it if they prosper. And the way
> blackberries spread, I suspect that the individual cages would only
protect
> them for this year. Sorry, but I thing you should rethink the whole
thing!
Boy...if your thornless blackberries are anything like the raspberries I grew,
they'll grow through any cage you try on them and escape...and they may grow fast
enough to outgrow vole problems...once they settle into the ground.
Are California beasts nicer than Virginian voles? UCDavis says, "Individual milk
cartons, tin cans, or plastic soda bottles can also be cut at both ends to fit
over small plants."
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html
Digging gravel or sharp cinders into that area...right around your new
plants...may be enough to discourage sub-surface damage.
Eliminate weeds and higher growth in the area around plants you want to protect.
Encourage snakes in your garden. (Ummmm...those last two might be
contradictory...snakes favor higher growth areas, too.)
Barb in Southern Indiana Zone 5/6 dorsettm@scin.quik.com
Gardens are solar powered devices.
Gardens co-listowner gardens-request@lsv.uky.edu
I think Virgina voles are much more brazen than California voles. The
gravel sounds doable and at least worth a try. Thanks for that
suggestion!!! I just want them to get established well, then I probably
won't mind if they prune them a bit ;-) Right now, they only have 1-2
spindley canes and don't stand a chance if I don't do something!!
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b who just put buying some
gravel on her weekend todo list.
Dorsett wrote:
The gravel idea IS supposed to help here...also trapping w/mousetraps baited
with apple slices smeared w/peanut butter, but I'm still skeptical about the
raised bed thing...
Debbie in VA, too
-----Original Message-----
From: Gardens & Gardening [mailto:GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU] On Behalf Of
Barbara Anders
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 1:42 PM
To: GARDENS@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: Question re: blackberry vines
I think Virgina voles are much more brazen than California voles. The
gravel sounds doable and at least worth a try. Thanks for that
suggestion!!! I just want them to get established well, then I probably
won't mind if they prune them a bit ;-) Right now, they only have 1-2
spindley canes and don't stand a chance if I don't do something!!
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b who just put buying some
gravel on her weekend todo list.
Dorsett wrote:
Well, it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't work out, but I
love a challenge!
Barbara
Deborah Green wrote:
> I think Virgina voles are much more brazen than California voles.
Or California voles are into dreaming...
The East coast voles are chippers and really dig those canes down there...
Barb in Southern Indiana Zone 5/6 dorsettm@scin.quik.com
Gardens are solar powered devices.
Gardens co-listowner gardens-request@lsv.uky.edu
Very good!!!!!!!
Barbara A. in southcentral Virginia, Zone 7b, shaking her head and
laughing.
Dorsett wrote:
