From nuts that David gave us last fall, I set aside about 100 for planting this year. We had a nearly 100% germination rate from nuts in a peat moss and sand mix that was in a plastic bag left in the bottom of a spare fridge.
In March, I took the now-rooted nuts and planted some in star trays and some in used #2 plastic containers from earlier planting projects. Both types thrived and I've transferred nearly all down to our new "grove" and among the walnuts.
With the number of seedlings that we're planting this year, we haven't caged all of them. Some seedlings were clipped by deer and/or rabbits and some others suffered through the drier weeks. After some timely rains that have come the past couple of weeks, most have responded back with new growth. I'm constantly impressed when a seedling bounces back from the dead.
In a few years, we'll be roasting chestnuts. Thanks, David, for sharing your largesse with us.
At this stage, mice and rabbits are the biggest threat. Your big kitty should help with the rabbits, and the little cat can handle the mice.
ReplyDeleteRabbits have gotten out of hand. The neighbor's 3 dogs have been working as a team and do get a rabbit once in a while. I talked to them about our cat population and they told me that one afternoon their biggest dog raced from our place and dove under their porch whimpering. We think that he had a face to face meeting with the big cat.
DeleteEven when a chestnut or oak seedling gets clipped, most have grown back so far. That tells me that the roots are developing enough to give them a chance. I have more numbers this year planted that I can't reasonably cage every one.
I'm reluctant to trap or poison because of the neighbor's cats and dogs but we're using a few more live traps and "re-homing" the rabbits.