Question: This spring is the first season that I have had more than 3 apricots – my tree was covered with them, but the critters got them before I did! We know we have lots of possums (I actually saw one crawl away from my apricot tree one night, so I know they are one of the culprits), but there are also squirrels that crawl across the telephone lines behind our home every day, and we think there may also be rats. I covered the tree with nylon netting before the apricots ripened, and thought I was so smart. But the little devils chewed through the netting, so apparently it is worthless. I think I am the only one it stopped! My point is that the critters got ALL my apricots before I could. They ate them as soon as they ripened, and before I ever had a chance. What do I do? I have two dogs and a cat, but that apparently is not enough. Are there any clever things I can do to stop the critters next year? I think I am going to have an even better crop, so it will be more important. This time I plan to eat some of them!
Thanks for your help, Kim
Answer: Hi Kim, You are not alone. My apricot trees get loaded with fruit each year and the squirrels eat every single one before I get any. My trees are too large to cover with netting, which they would find a way around anyway. I have tried repellents, none of which worked or were cost effective to use on large trees. This year I live trapped 18 of them and moved them about 1-mile away. I suspect they all came back because they also destroyed my sweet corn. I read that you need to move that at least 5 miles away to keep them away, which is what I will be doing in early Spring. I will also be marking them with a little white spray paint to see if any "white" squirrels find their way back. Short of shooting them or poisoning them, I don't know of any other answer. If anyone knows of another remedy, please share it with us!
Ron The Garden Guy
September 18, 2008
Preparing A Winter Garden
Question: I have a small plot about 20x15. It is mostly sand. How do I prepare the soil for winter veggies? I can irrigate it if I need to. Thanks!
Tommie
Answer: Hi Tommy, Add plenty of a good organic matter source like compost, rotted manure, etc. Depending on your soil condition and what you plan to plant, you might want to add some blood meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal, etc. for nitrogen. Turn it all in and you could plant in a few days. Any other soil amendments take time to work. You could add some lime, rock phosphate, green sand - depending on you soils needs, but they won't do you much good until Spring planting. If this is a new plot or if you don't know your soil condition, you might want to consider getting a soil test. There is a link on my site you may want to use. It's a very accurate test. http://www.TheGardenGuy.org
Question: Hi, Garden Guy, Here's a question for you: Wed, they predicted frost for Thursday, so I picked all the butternut squash. No where can I find any instruction on how to keep them where. Also, a few of them were not totally beige colored, but still had a bit of green, but I figured with frost coming, I ought to pick them. So, is there a way for them to ripen? Or will they just rot? Interesting that in my 15-20 garden books, I can't find a whole lot on harvesting and storing the various things I grow.
Betty
Answer: Hi Betty, Store them in a cool dry, dark place, but not the refrigerator. Perhaps a garage, cellar, basement, etc. Protect them from light. The fruit that are not quite ripe should finish ripening during storage. Stored properly, they should keep for a month or longer. Enjoy!!
