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Garden Plots – St. Helens Chronicle

Posted: June 14, 2017 at 6:48 am

Moles arent easy to love

Moles arent easy to love. They exist largely out of our view, tunneling underground, pushing up excavated soil into volcanic-shaped mounds in our lawn and gardens. They dont eat plants. Mole have beautiful fur that allows them to go backwards or forwards in their tunnels. But their tunneling damages plants in several ways. Tunnels create zones of excessive aeration where roots dry from poor soil contact. Some woody plants with shallow root systems like blueberries and rhododendrons are especially damaged by tunneling. Many other woody plants with deeper root systems are not affected at all. Some might even be helped in our denser clay soils with the improved drainage. Lawns tunneled by moles will show dried out areas as well as the mounds.

But vegetables and moles do not play well together. Tunneling under germinating seeds or transplants can cause rapid wilting which, if not caught in time, can quickly kill plants. Ironically, as we target our watering more precisely with drip or soaker hoses, we create a great environment for earthworms. And moles live for earthworms. They tunnel up one row and down another, eating happily, unaware of the damage they are causing. Earthworms constitute more than 75% of their diet. Centipedes, slugs, ants, spiders, various pupa and larva, and other juicy insects fill out their menu.

Moles arent congenial. Since food resources can be scarce, their attitude is necessary.

They have waxy secretions that define their territories and other moles who miss the notice are attacked. Breeding is a brief togetherness experiment but raising mole babies (one litter of 2 or 3 per year) is done by the female alone. At about 38 days, she kicks her babies out of her runway system to find their own home. Most moles lose their life to predation in this very dangerous above ground adventure. Once underground, they are quite protected (except from rubber boas, which we have but are in short supply, and some dogs and cats).

The other issue with moles is that field mice (also known as voles) will readily use mole runways for protection and ease of movement. Unfortunately, voles love to eat plants. They have a wide culinary range including the roots of some weeds (good) and roots of some crops like carrots, beets, potato tubers, etc. (bad). Voles also gnaw stems and roots of woody plants (apple and other fruit trees as well as a number of ornamental trees) which can kill or weaken them. Reducing mole numbers will eventually reduce vole numbers as well.

Mole management will be the main subject of the next column. Just so you know, it isnt easy. If you have any tricks, email them to me at chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu or call me at 503 397-3462.

Weed management and identification class at the Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens

There will be a Weed Management and ID class held at the Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens on Monday, June 19th from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm. The class will focus on garden and landscape weeds and some of the techniques, tools, and herbicides that can help you manage them. Participants are encouraged to bring some weeds for identification. There will be ample time for questions. The class is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Extension office at 503 397-3462.

OSU 4-H Adventure Evenings

From our 4-H Agent, Woody Davis: This summer we are starting something NEW, 4-H Adventure Evenings. They will be held on Friday evenings in a local park and will have some type of theme. Each evening will have an Open Grill, you bring the meat/main course for your family and a second dish to share with others. The first one will be June 16th at McCormick Park in St Helens. Theme: Friday Nite Flights (Disc Golf). You are welcome to bring your own Disc or I will have some that you can borrow. The grill and food will be ready at 6pmsh and Disc Golf will begin about 7:15pm, we will be done by 8:30pm. Please bring your own dinner service and condiments for your food. The purpose is to have FUN with your family and to bring a friend to enjoy the 4-H Program. So, mark your calendar, invite a friend and plan to attend. Call 503 397-3462 for more information.

2017 OSU Extension Canning Classes

Come learn how to safely preserve foods from your garden this season! Participants will practice making and canning recipes in the kitchen, and will process a jar to take home. Space is limited, so call soon to reserve your spot! Pre-registration is required.

Where: Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District

35285 Millard Road, St. Helens, OR 97051

When (all classes 9 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Friday July 7th ~ Canning Fruits and Pie Fillings

Friday July 21st ~ Pickling Vegetables and Fruits

Friday August 4th ~ Pressure Canning Vegetables and Meats

Friday August 18th ~ Canning Tomatoes and Salsa

Cost: $25 per class or $80 if you register for all 4 classes

Scholarships are also available

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Garden Plots - St. Helens Chronicle


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