Consumer Voice :: Sacred Groves

1.Q&A:	Moles, Voles, or Gophers?

Question:	How do we tell whether we have moles, voles, or gophers digging in our yard?

Answer:	Moles create characteristic mounds and tunnels that rise above the soil level. Although the tunnels aren't always visible, you can usually spot their mounds of soil with a hole in the top. Voles are tiny creatures, and are sometimes referred to as field mice. They don't dig tunnels or make large mounds, but rather have trails through tall grass. Sometimes voles use mole tunnels to feed on roots and bulbs. If you see fan-shaped mounds with a hole near the edge, you probably have an infestation of gophers.

1.Q&A:	Starting an Indoor Herb Garden
Question:	I live in a third-floor apartment and would like to start an herb garden. I don't have a balcony, but I do have a window that gets lots of sunlight. Are there herbs that I can grow year-round indoors?

Answer:	Some herbs adapt better than others to growing indoors; basil, thyme, chives and lemon verbena tend to do well as houseplants. Some herbs, such as rosemary and sage, will grow fine indoors for a while, but will tend to get leggy and "tired" after a while. However, you can root cuttings and start new plants as necessary.

Tip:	Prune Lantana
	Lantana is a beautiful annual flower. To keep it blooming in the summer heat, deadhead spent flowers and cut back the plants by a third every few months to stimulate new growth and flowers.