“Time Capsule Garden” Revisited

Posted on February 5, 2010 by Michelle Zeiger

It’s time to plan for the coming gardening season, which means assessing the previous season. Last year I planted a unique garden with seeds from a vacuum-sealed can packed in 1978.  I called it my “Time Capsule Garden.” Continue reading →

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Rethinking the Coyote’s Visit in Light of Natural Pest Control

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Mark Zeiger

A recent daylight visit to our homestead by a local coyote had us somewhat concerned. We don’t foresee any danger, but it’s unwise to become complacent about any wild animal, particularly a highly adaptable predator. Plus, we’ve tracked coyotes following our resident vole eaters, weasels (ermines) and minks.

Recently, Michelle learned from an Eliot Coleman book that coyotes are voracious vole eaters. According to Coleman, coyote urine will discourage voles from exploring an area. This put an entirely different perspective on the recent encounter, during which we had not been pleased to watch our visitor squat in the garden. Apparently, we should be welcoming that sort of behavior after all! Continue reading →

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