Nice growing site except for gophers!

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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Nice growing site except for gophers!

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paulandirene

Registered:1264433694
Posts: 398

Posted 1382924242	Reply with quote #1

nice plot for growing at the bottom [west] of a friend's lot climate: same as Encanto Farms lot width; 75 feet [most usable] depth: about 12 feet water: nearby sun: almost all day However there are a lot of gophers...so many that the ground feels softer than surrounding areas. [this land was worked for many years but has been fallow for probably at least 5 years] Does mean figs only in containers.....or [for figs or other plants] mean raised beds with hardware cloth on the bottom?

americanfiglover

Registered:1236649731
Posts: 643

Posted 1382925116	Reply with quote #2

the soil looks as if it lacks organic meterial and very poor in nutrients. is it sandy? I'm sure there is a way yo kill of the gophers. __________________ Jarrett Spokane, WA ZONE 6A Proudly Serving in the United States Armed Forces, 2009-Present Everyone should have a green thumb Figs: Nero600m

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1382930555	Reply with quote #3

Add compost. Plant in baskets till established. Kill and eat gophers. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1382933017	Reply with quote #4

Does Gopher taste like Possum.....LOL __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1382935080	Reply with quote #5

Looks like a great area for figs. If you can, get a load of free mulch from the city, or mushroom compost (or whatever free/inexpensive source you can find) and cover the area to prevent weed growth during the winter rains, as well as adding organic matter. Mulch should get a nice earthworm population going too. Also, get some gopher traps and start killing them. Stainless steel 'Gophenators' are extremely effective and don't rust. You can keep your trees in 5 gallon containers till they get large enough to put out. Let their roots grow thru the bottoms and into the soil beneath. The plants will be larger and healthier that way, though you will have to clip them when it's time to transplant. __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

indestructible87

Registered:1368407095
Posts: 548

Posted 1382936062	Reply with quote #6

I heard gopher stew is tasty. __________________ Travis Pittsburgh, PA

paulandirene

Registered:1264433694
Posts: 398

Posted 1382940081	Reply with quote #7

Thanks for the comments, yeah the area needs a lot of compost. Luckily they can get it free from the city. I did notice an old shredder in the far right side of the picture I don't remember other parts of the yard being so sandy. My parents live only 2 miles away and they're in a heavy clay area I think I'm gonna make some gopher gumbo!

americanfiglover

Registered:1236649731
Posts: 643

Posted 1382942749	Reply with quote #8

I don't know how long it takes for the organic matter to bind to the sand. If you have a tiller I would use that to mix in the organics. Throw in some worm eggs/worm so they can help break it down. __________________ Jarrett Spokane, WA ZONE 6A Proudly Serving in the United States Armed Forces, 2009-Present Everyone should have a green thumb Figs: Nero600m

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