The Cass County Soil Conservation District Tree Sale was a success and once again very enjoyable.  Hats off to the crew who put together the bundles and the orders.

This event included approximately 260 local community children at the Rheault Farm site.  Arborist Dallas Heizelman City of Fargo gave the welcome.  Mayor Dennis Walaker provided the proclamation and opening comments.  Fargo has won the Tree City USA Award and this was presented by ND Forest Service Sharon Bartels.  The Cass County Soil Conservation Service gave away trees.  Other Entities that worked with youth in the planting of trees and or sponsorship included:  DIY Wood Studio, Audubon Dakota, River Keepers, Fargo Park District, City of Fargo, City of Fargo Forestry Department, Cargill, Cass County Soil Conservation District, Pepsi, NDSU Cass County Extension Agents Monique Snelgrove and Todd Weinmann.

Does your lawn look like this? Do you notice small tunnels of dead grass snaking through your yard? Even worse, you may observe feeding damage on small shrubs and trees. Voles were very active this winter under our heavy snowpack. Insulated and protected by snow, voles feasted on grasses and roots during the course of the winter.

Voles are rodents with short ears and a stubby tail. While mistakenly referred to as “field mice”, these rodents are meadow voles and are common throughout North Dakota. Their populations peak every 2 to 5 years depending on environmental conditions. Snakes, hawks, owls and other predators help control the population.

While highly visible in early spring, vole damage to lawns is usually minor. Homeowners should rake the dead grass and soon rhizomes from surrounding plants will cover the damaged area. If the damage is more significant, then these areas can be reseeded.

Little can be done in the spring to eradicate voles. As the snow recedes, voles leave the now-exposed turfgrass and seek cover in areas with taller vegetation. Fall is the best time to prevent excessive vole damage.  Homeowners should practice good yard sanitation to avoid creating an attractive vole habitat. Grass should be cut short in late fall. Shrubs should be limbed up a bit to avoid creating cover near the ground. Furthermore, areas of plant litter should be cleared. A little prevention in the fall will go a long way to discouraging voles from using your yard as their winter home.

by Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension Horticulturist

Monique and I have started some chicken eggs to see what interests arises from them.

The Asiatic Lily that was planted has now bloomed in time for Mother's Day.  What a great gift idea for any Mother.  "Hint/Hint".  Even if you didn't plant one for your Mother you can still purchase one.

The potato/tomato graft has taken.  I am very pleased with this success to the workshop put on by Dr. Chi Won Lee of NDSU, Educator Randy Nelson of UMN, and Agent Todd Weinmann of NDSU.  Upon looking at the other grafts, overall the success rate was in the 70's.  Not bad for the first time!

I saw a dogwood tree in bloom last week at the PILD Conference in Washington D. C.  It gave me hope for our spring.