Moonhowl said:Toads dig holes to live in. They can be quite a nuisance to a gardener.

Here are some ways to attract them to areas where they can be beneficial.

http://gardentoadwatch.blogspo...

http://www.gardeningknowhow.co...

I had no idea... That explains a lot to me..about the holes in my garden..thanks for the info.

This is what it looks like atm (at the moment)

Started months ago, and this is just 1 part of the forest garden I'm attempting to create.

So far, cayenne pepper worked with chipmunks and squirrels.

Most welcome. I am a fan of toads and frogs and lizards...ya get the picture.

Anything that can suck up that many slugs and snails and grubs just can't be all bad.

This guy has lived in the same flower bed for 4 or 5 years or so.

Moonhowl: You are so lucky! Going to do some further research....I think you've started toad craze for toads!

Brenden: I know I'm slipping off topic but a couple of ?s for you....did you clear that space to start your garden, i.e., cut down trees/understory shrubs? What did you plant? I am curious as I'm trying to restore woodland but am on a budget and more importantly...in this area (Northern VA) if one tries to clear an area to create something new and puts in small seedlings or rootstock this is equivalent to putting up a neon sign for the deer "Diner OPEN" Do you have issues with raccoons or other critters besides toads digging your plantings up or eating them?

More importantly, whereami, I think you are finding places of interest to call "home".

I have to say it's me, but only due to lack of time to tend to the projects. It's looking neglected, I hate to say. On the serious side, I think a vole is still hanging around.

whereami said:Thank-you for the info moon howl! My property is filled with mole and woodchuck holes...you could fall down those things and be lost for all eternity so toads would fit right in here Plus I love the idea of finding something that will eat slugs! ...

Here's a link for identifying "holes in the ground"!

http://garden.org/thread/view_...

http://www.icwdm.org/Inspectio...

Holy cow, these ants don't give up! Used an entire bottle of vinegar & am trying to fight a battle that seems like I cannot win! In the garden out back & in my front yard, used bleach. Help! Would love any advice to keep them under control. I think they declared a mutiny on me & my house!

A combination of Borax and sugar, made into a paste (that they take back to their colony) is supposed to work. I've never tried it. Google it for more details. Good luck.

Now, when the squirrels visit, they must sit on the table for breakfast! How rude!

I just cleared it this spring and summer. Not doing so great. The don't get the 8 your minimum lighting, maybe 4 hours max, and I'm paying for that. The flowers aren't doing so great because of it I believe.

And MAN the wind is rediculous back there, I've been more down about this ordeal than happy tbh. Haven't seen a single butterfly but a few copper ones.

Don't know if I should MOVE all of my sun plants or try to cut a few branches waaaaaay up there.

Thanks, Arlene. Much appreciated. I'm also from Long island, near Stony Brook University. I sure don't miss the humidity that is typical for this time of year there! But I do miss the season changes, especially autumn. The leaves turning all the pretty colors, raking leaves into a big pile & jumping into it... Kind of difficult to do the same thing with palm fronds out here. Just isn't the same.

We've just gone through a stretch of low humidity. It didn't feel quite "wonderful" at 85 degrees...or maybe I'm a sissy.

No you're not. I remember many summer nights where it would be almost 98% humidity at 11:00 pm! Hot out here is not like hot back there. I much prefer the dry, desert heat. A bit more tolerable.

The other day, I used an entire gallon of vinegar around my front door to try & attempt in getting the ants under control. They might as well have looked at me, laughed & said 'yeah, right'. Yesterday morning, I walked out the front door & they were back with a vengeance. Enough is enough, so I went to home depot & got a bag of bug b gone by Ortho ($5 for a 10 lb bag). It works on many other bugs too & is safe to use in your vegetable beds. I just went to take a peek; it's way too good to be true! NO ANTS! Glory hallelujah!

Well, here is my Squirrel and chipmunk solvent, I hope.....

I'm in the forest, so technically in THEIR territory. I won't kill them or hurt, just trying to scare, my god I hope I can get this done.......

Or, my last resort-become a squirrel to English translator

LOL, Brenden -- it might not work to get rid of the squirrels, but it certainly is patriotic!

Just do what I do, and buy more bird seed; it's a lot less hassle.

It's plantmylove I haven't posted on here in ages



For me cucumber beetles and squash vine borers are the worst ive injected bt into the vines as a safeguard and sprayed neem oil its working so so



Now I have a new problem with my squash. The vines are starting to ramble so I've placed a cucumber trillius under them. Hopefully the semi bush genies kick in and they don't take over I have a community garden I garden at and all you get is 20 by 10 feet

The variety is an heirloom called ambar

Weedwhacker said:LOL, Brenden -- it might not work to get rid of the squirrels, but it certainly is patriotic!

Just do what I do, and buy more bird seed; it's a lot less hassle.

But that would bolster the population right?

and how much

That's where the coyotes come in...