Here it is Sunday night already! The weekend kind of passed in a blur. With the nice weather out in full force, we actually were enjoying coffee outside downtown at night:
Spring is feeling pretty good right now. There was also much biking to be had. Not really picture worthy since it is just building endurance riding local routes, but Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. and I had bikey face!
I put in 61 miles from Friday through Sunday. I probably overdid it just a bit, but it’s so hard to stop riding!
Lots of outdoor projects to do now that we can get outside. My project is mole removal. We have moles. Not sure how many as only a couple can do a lot of damage and we have a lot of lawn damage and tunnels in my garden beds. No bueno. I don’t want to kill the moles or trap them, so I went with a repellent.
It’s castor oil based, which apparently either smells or tastes bad to them – or both. It’s nontoxic, which is what I want. The moles just need to go away (sorry neighbors!). This is the stuff:
It smells like castor oil, which makes sense since that is a large component. It’s a bit of a pain to apply because you have to do it in stages to sort of herd the moles out. It took 4 days to get the stuff spread. Now here’s hoping it works.
I also did some milky spore to combat all the lawn grubs we have, which led to the mole problem. The milky spore is organic and will only control grubs and won’t harm the earthworms. Plus I have some neem oil to keep the bunnies away from my new plant growth. Whew! Doing things the organic or natural way takes a lot more time than scorched earth pesticide, but it’s much better for the planet. I’ll update in a couple months with any progress.
We were talking about what other outdoor projects to do and John wanted to work on our back porch landing. It’s concrete and cracked and loose in spots. He said that would be his project this summer. Then I heard big bangs outside and John decided to start right away! He was using a sledge hammer to break up the cement:
Eeek! No going back now. It’s actually a layer of cement over cement. Not quite sure what we are going to do with it. Maybe tile if there is enough depth to put it in without going above the door threshold. John owns this project, though 😀
We are not quite up to cupcake riding yet. Another few weeks and we will have our 40 mile legs. We had to “settle” for a sundae after our 23 mile ride on Saturday from Martha’s.
Their ice cream is just so good. They don’t do any frozen yogurt, just ice cream, and they do it very well.
Sunday was family time. We had dinner at my parents’ house. My sister supplied the mimosas!
It was a nice afternoon and I even got some work done in their garden bed with dividing hostas. 😀 And somehow Sunday night is here in the blink of an eye!
Hope you all had a great weekend!
I will be following your mole story because I have them as well. The problem was on our neighborhood forum and someone linked to a mole trap. Oh my, no way could I do that to the mole. I’d rather just have the mole damage. Hope your plan works.
Yes, I didn’t want to trap or kill the moles. I really hope this works. When they tunnel, it can go through the roots of my plants and then the plants die if I don’t catch it before the roots dry out.
I LOVE YOUR PHRASE OF IT IS JUST SO HARD TO STOP RIDING.
I think it’s what so so many of us seek too.
That soulmate exercise which isnt even a “workout” any more.
<3
I overdid running and walking last week – this weather has been too good to pass up. I’m sore as heck today but it was worth it 😀
Every time you show that Martha’s ice cream I want it! It just looks perfect and creamy.
I had no idea grubs were what caused mole tunnels. I think my mom has that issue at her house. We have lots of worms and grubs in our front yard but right now they only are bringing skunks. Not sure if that’s better than moles since they dig up the yard.
see, you need to come visit and I’ll take you to Martha’s! Skunks eat grubs, too. They dig the yard. The moles tunnel under and make the yard squishy and the grass dies.
Whew! That’s a lot of animal pest problems you have! I think the solution might be to have a herd of dogs in your backyard :)) I haven’t had any animals stay too long in the yard. I think the deer fencing keeps the rabbits out, but the skunks find a way in once in a while.
I’m so glad you’re getting and enjoying your spring!
We didn’t have rabbit problems until last year when we lost our fence. Now they use the yard. LOL. go away bunnies!
I laughed at Debby’s solution, but I will say, our killer kitties keep kritters (sorry, had to do it) at bay.
Love that you biked too much. As if there is such a thing! 😉
What a weekend with lots of fun but some UGH stuff too with those pests! 🙂
I am glad you are getting out to ride & enjoying it since you love it so much!!!!
Luckily I don’t have moles in my garden but I don’t have grass, don’t know if that makes a difference. I did see a lot of mole hopes lately on my walks with Bella, looks like there are more here this year.
So happy you could get a couple of bike rides in this weekend. Hopefully the good weather stays for a while. Winter was long enough for you.
I have moles under my shed, but they don’t bother me so much. I don’t have a garden to eat up, and the dogs get a kick out of them – they think they can catch them, but they just run straight under the shed – they are fast!
That sundae looks so good!
I just went to the dermatologist to have my moles removed. LOL! Sorry….someone had to say it. And I’m childish enough to do it. Sorry….