I have voles really bad in my garden, and also chipmunks. I seen a vole zip past me last week while I was working and he was much smaller than I had thought they would be. I am certain that chicken wire is too large of a mesh and the voles can easily get right in it. I am concerned about planting my bulbs in smaller mesh wire-will they still be able to grow up through it? What kinds of things have worked for you all for protecting your bulbs?

I use lots of pea gravel in my garden, seems to deter the voles and provide great drainage for the bulbs.

These Tulips have been in the same spot for the last 4 years, only pea gravel

You mean you put the gravel in the hole w the bulb when you plant them?

In the above pic, I dug the trench and put quite a bit of pea gravel in the bottom and mixed it with the dirt. Yes, I would think you could put it in the hole and have the same result.

There's a product called "Permatill"... Real sharp edges... that you can add to planting holes...
It's a bit easier than bending hardware cloth around each bulb...

Or... make friends with a barn cat.

I'd love to get a cat, and may end up doing so eventually, but I don't have the set up for one right now. This is the first year we have been w/o a neighbors cat. I am allergic to cats so he'd have to stay outside and I don't have anywhere for a cat to live outdoors.
I will try out the permatill, that sounds promising. Thanks!