Garden Tips

The Tip of the Week from Petals

If you have trouble with critters….rabbits, deer, voles or even elk and are planting a bulb garden follow this tip:

Spray all your bulbs (except Daffodils) with a “Hot Pepper Wax” before you plant. Bonide puts out a great product that’s available from your local garden center.

You need personal protection equipment… gloves, dust mask and safety goggles/glasses. Then spread out newspaper on the patio (do this outside ONLY) place the bulbs on the newspaper and spray the Hot Pepper to cover the bulbs but not to run off. Wait until they dry, turn them and spray the other sides.

Plant as usual but remember…..once sprayed…..only touch the bulbs with gloves.

Another tip: after planting you can spread a 2 inch layer of pea gravel over the planted area. This will keep voles from digging down to your bulbs. The pea gravel has sharp edges and it hurts the pads of their feet.

And that’s your “Tip of the Week” from all of us at Petals.