Peppermint

Sunny, 50s, but windy.  The last of the leaves (except the Callery pears) are blowing down.

Today I poured peppermint oil on the front walk garden, and put some on cotton balls that I stuffed down the vole tunnels.  Mice are supposed to be driven away by the scent of peppermint.  Boy do I smell like an ice cream sundae now!

As I walked on the soil of that small strip by the front walk, it is apparent that the new iteas are sitting in airpockets, and the little gingko too.  There is nothing below their roots.  The 4 chaemacyparis "buns" are also excavated below ground.  What I don't know is whether their roots have been eaten, or if the roots are intact but the tunnels have loosened the soil around them.  They look alive above ground.