First for the win:
I have delicious carrots!
I have dozens of beautiful carrots, all in a row. I used seed tape, store-bought this time, although you can make your own.
I kept them watered, almost daily, which I think is the secret, along with loose, rich soil and a relatively cool, long spring growing season.
I eat a carrot a day, and put the carrot tops in the blender for my morning green smoothie, along with whatever else is there for the picking–French sorrel, kale, mint, lemon balm, tulsi, berries, etc.
I could put the carrots themselves in the blender, but I prefer to enjoy them in their original crunchy state.
The woes:
I know I have vole problems, and had already set out mousetraps for them, but I was disturbed this morning by the sight of a carrot top half-pulled into the ground, just the tip of the top showing, Bugs Bunny style.
Just the tops were remaining, the entire carrot was GONE.
I know it’s voles because moles don’t eat carrots, only insects, and I’ve seen the vole tunnels.
I suppose I should be glad I still have ANY carrots left at all, but I can’t help but shake my fist that those varmints.
On an unrelated note, I think I have an Instagram account finally set up. I (think) I have my first video up and it’s cute bunnies chomping on lettuce. If you are into that kind of thing (and other suburban homestead stuff) you can check it out on Instagram if you look for daisysiskin. I’m really terrible at it so far, but I plan to go from awful to nearly tolerable over the next few years.
LOL. Vole problems. I searched YouTube and there is a guy who shows you how to catch a Vole within 10 minutes. Very interesting. Happy Vole hunting. 🙂
The carrots looks fabulous. Looks so fresh and healthy.
Cat poop has worked for me, or dog, which ever. Find the hole, put a piece in (ewww I know), and use a stick to push it down the tunnel away from the garden.
Dancing PJs–Wow. That’s one I’ve never heard. Well, it would work for me if I were a vole!
CV–There is a certain satisfaction upon eliminating a vole, I’m somewhat loathe to admit. I will go to great lengths to protect fresh produce.
Hi Daisy! I’ve been subscribed to your email updates for a while and read them on and off. Always a pleasant read! Thanks for the seed tape idea – I had never heard of it before!
I can’t seem to find you onb instagram, think you could post a link to your profile page?
Ariane–Thank you, Ariane. Yes, carrot seeds are so fiddly and hard to germinate (for me), it’s the one seed I’ve had more success with the seed tape. And thanks for asking for the Instagram link, here it is: https://www.instagram.com/daisysiskin/